Trump Moves to Grab Executive Power Over Elections Ahead of November Midterms, Report Reveals

Allies of US President Donald Trump, claiming coordination with the White House, are reportedly circulating a 17-page draft executive order that would allow the president to declare a national emergency citing alleged Chinese interference in the 2020 elections. According to a report by The Washington Post, the proposed “emergency” could give Trump the authority to restrict mail-in ballots in the upcoming November midterm elections and make voter ID mandatory, measures he has repeatedly signalled support for in recent months.

The White House has declined to provide details on Trump’s plans or comment on the circulating draft order. Legal experts have highlighted that the proposal could face significant constitutional challenges. Peter Ticktin, a Florida attorney reportedly advocating for the draft executive order, told The Washington Post that the measure is intended to address concerns over election integrity. However, he also acknowledged that, under the Constitution, state legislatures and governments primarily control election procedures, and the president has no inherent authority to dictate how elections are conducted within individual states.

If enacted, the executive order could trigger a political and legal storm, with opponents likely challenging the president’s claims of a national emergency and potential overreach into state-controlled election processes. Critics warn that such a move could further polarise the country ahead of the midterms and raise questions about federal interference in democratic processes.

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The draft order reportedly details specific measures the administration could take to limit mail ballots and enforce stricter identification requirements for voters. While Trump has repeatedly criticised mail-in voting and called for tighter voting regulations, the idea of invoking a national emergency to impose these changes is unprecedented and likely to face both legal scrutiny and political pushback.

As of now, no formal announcement has been made, and it remains unclear whether Trump will sign the executive order, wait until closer to the midterms, or revise the measures to withstand potential legal challenges.

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