President Donald Trump on Tuesday refused to rule out sending federalized National Guard soldiers or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to polling stations in Democratic areas during the November midterm elections, despite a lack of legal authority. When asked as he departed for China, Trump said: “I do anything necessary to make sure we have honest elections.”
His comments follow a Truth Social post announcing a larger “Election Integrity Army” for the 2026 midterms, repeating debunked claims of unfair elections. Trump credited his 2024 win to Republican poll watchers, writing: “During my Historic Election in 2024 … the Republicans had an Election Integrity Army in every single State … We will be doing the same again in 2026, but it will be much bigger and stronger.” He did not specify who would be part of this force.
Since returning to office, Trump has focused on his 2020 loss, signing an executive order to restrict mail-in voting and demanding federal voter ID laws. He has also used the Justice Department to investigate his discredited election claims, including seizing ballots in Fulton County, Georgia.
Max Flugrath, of Fair Fight Action, criticised Trump’s remarks, noting that officials had previously insisted there were “no plans” to send federal agents to polls. “Today the president said he’d do ‘anything necessary’ – exposing the disconnect between what his officials have been saying and what he actually intends,” Flugrath said.
