Brief
Trump administration pressures election officials ahead of 2026 midterms
The New Yorker details a series of legal and administrative moves by Donald Trump’s administration that could affect the November 3 midterms.
By Felo News Desk · Published
According to a New Yorker Radio Hour episode aired on October 30, 2026, the Trump administration has taken several steps that could disrupt the upcoming midterm elections.
Since returning to office, President Donald Trump has demanded private voter data from states, threatened election officials with jail time, and seized ballots from prior elections to investigate alleged fraud. The Department of Justice has signaled further action, and U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche has not ruled out using legal force to block election certifications. Additionally, the administration has filed a lawsuit against the State of Alaska before any votes are cast.
Reporter Barton Gellman and New Yorker editor David Remnick discussed these developments on the program, noting that none of the actions have yet altered election results, but the legal pressure is intensifying.
Key facts
- Trump’s administration demanded private voter data from states (newyorker.com)
- Attorney General Todd Blanche has not ruled out using law to prevent election certifications (newyorker.com)
- A lawsuit against Alaska is underway before any votes are counted (newyorker.com)
Sources
- [1] newyorker.com — originally reported as “Defending the Midterms from Donald Trump”
