Center for American Progress

The Trump Administration May Be Planning To Unlawfully Order Federal Troops or Agents To Interfere in the Midterm Elections

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VideoSeptember 10, 2026 Sep 10, 2026

The Trump Administration May Be Planning To Unlawfully Order Federal Troops or Agents To Interfere in the Midterm Elections

The Trump administration may be planning to send Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents or troops into polling places, a well-known tactic of authoritarian-minded leaders around the world. But people across the ideological spectrum should not give in to fear and should exercise their right to vote.

Restoring Social Trust in Democracy, Democracy, Elections, Politics and Elections, Trump Administration +2 More

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Alex Cogan

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The Trump administration seems increasingly likely to try to deploy the military or federal personnel—such as ICE agents—to interfere in the November elections. These moves, which are typical of authoritarians around the world, would almost certainly be unconstitutional, illegal, and deeply corrosive to democracy. Americans across the ideological spectrum should not be deterred from exercising their fundamental right to vote in free and fair elections.

The positions of American Progress, and our policy experts, are independent, and the findings and conclusions presented are those of American Progress alone. American Progress would like to acknowledge the many generous supporters who make our work possible.

AUTHOR

Michael Sozan

Senior Fellow, Democracy and Government

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Hai-Lam Phan

Managing Director, Creative

Toni Pandolfo

Video Producer

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