Steve Bannon, former adviser to President Donald Trump, is urging the administration to declare a national emergency over election integrity and deploy an “up-armored ICE presence” at polling locations during the November midterms. Bannon argued that such action would be necessary to force voter-identification and mail-ballot measures, while acknowledging that critics could view an immigration-enforcement presence at polling places as intimidation.
Trump has not committed to such a move yet, saying only that “stranger things have happened.”
Steve Bannon demands national emergency declaration
Speaking on Real America’s Voice on Tuesday, August 18, Bannon told conservative commentator Jack Posobiec that the Trump administration should pursue a national emergency rather than rely on the SAVE America Act, which includes voter-ID requirements and restrictions on mail-in voting. “[The SAVE America Act is] not going to happen,” Bannon said. “You know why it’s not going to happen? Because John Thune and the donors don’t want it to happen. They think it’s racist. They think it’s nativist.”
He accused senators — including the Senate majority leader — of treating Trump like a “lame duck.”
“This is why we need a national emergency proclamation, a national emergency memo, about the upcoming elections,” Bannon said. “You’re going to have to have a forcing function to get to ID. You’re going to have to have a forcing function not to have the phony mail-in ballots.”
‘Up-armored ICE presence’ at polling booths
Bannon also called for an “up-armored ICE presence” at polling locations, while acknowledging that the move could be labeled “intimidation” by critics. “Well, it ain’t intimidation if you’re a United States citizen,” Bannon said. “It’s an intimidation if you’re a foreigner and here illegally and not eligible to vote. It should be intimidating. We don’t want you there. We don’t want you near a voting booth. We certainly don’t want your votes.”
Election law experts have said that a presidential emergency declaration would not automatically give Trump authority to rewrite state election laws or impose new voter qualifications. According to the Constitution, the responsibility of election administration falls on states, while Congress holds significant authority over federal election rules.
‘Stranger things have happened
Trump has repeatedly promoted voter ID and other provisions of the SAVE America Act as important to election integrity and Republican prospects in the November elections, although the Senate has yet to pass the legislation. Asked by Wayne Allyn Root last week whether he plans to declare a national emergency during the midterms, Trump offered an ambiguous response. “Stranger things have happened,” Trump said. “I’ll leave it at that.”
A draft executive order from last year reportedly contemplated using foreign election interference as grounds for imposing emergency measures, but nationwide voting changes imposed through executive action would most likely be challenged in court.
Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, meanwhile, warned against any attempt by the president to intervene in election administration. “Donald Trump wants to take over American elections,” Schumer posted on X. “Senate Democrats are prepared to combat his unprecedented, illegal efforts at every turn. Your vote belongs to you. We will ensure it stays that way.”
The Trump administration previously rejected Steve Bannon’s ICE proposal
Notably, it’s not the first time Bannon has floated the idea of posting immigration agents at polling places. However, in February, former White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected the suggestion, saying, “That’s not something I’ve ever heard the president consider.” Pressed on whether she could guarantee ICE would not be at polling locations, she added, “I mean, that’s frankly a very silly hypothetical question. … But what I can tell you is I haven’t heard the president discuss any formal plans to put ICE outside of polling locations. It’s a disingenuous question.”
