Trump Seeks Control Over 2026 Midterm Elections

President Donald Trump is attempting to gain unprecedented control over the 2026 U.S. midterm elections by asserting presidential power, including the firing of key leaders from the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). On July 9, Trump dismissed two Democratic members, leaving the agency without a quorum, and pressured the remaining Republican member, Christy McCormick, to resign.

The EAC is responsible for election administration, including distributing federal election security grants and certifying voting machines. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned the firings as a blatant attempt to control elections.

Trump is promoting the SAVE America Act, which mandates proof of citizenship for voter registration and restricts mail voting. He has indicated that passing this act is crucial for Republican success in the midterms.

The Department of Homeland Security announced it would withhold anti-terrorism and cybersecurity grants from states not adhering to Trump's election rules. The Justice Department has warned election officials against allowing non-citizen voting and is pursuing lawsuits to obtain unredacted voter rolls.