2026 midterm election interference prep and GOP setbacks
Key Questions
What changes did Trump make to the Election Assistance Commission?
Trump fired all EAC commissioners using new authority from Trump v. Slaughter, leaving the agency leaderless four months before the midterms.
How has Fox News responded to Trump's election claims?
Fox News has snubbed Trump's election fantasy after facing costly lessons from prior coverage. This signals a potential shift in media handling of 2020 denialism.
What are the main concerns about 2026 midterm interference?
Matthew Cohen highlighted USPS mail-in voting orders, potential ICE presence at polls, and disinformation as top threats. State law enforcement is planning to block federal agents if needed.
What did declassified files reveal about foreign election interference?
Files showed Russia's role was larger than China's in past interference, debunking some of Trump's China-focused claims. Democrats are running tabletop exercises on potential ICE actions at polls.
How did the Supreme Court ruling affect campaign finance?
The NRSC v. FEC decision allows unlimited coordination between party committees and candidates but has slowed Trump's war chest rollout. His team is holding back a $400M fund for tight races.
What new voting restrictions is Trump pushing?
Trump is advancing new restrictions including rescinding nursing home voting guidance. Democrats have introduced a bill to close foreign money loopholes in campaigns.
What is the status of the North Carolina Senate race?
Cooper (D) leads Whatley (R) by a narrowing 4 points in the closely watched race. Both candidates are staking positions on tariffs and the Iran conflict.
How are local officials responding to voter fraud claims?
Secretaries of state are gathering without federal agencies, and local officials have rebutted fraud claims. DHS chief Mullin vows to pursue voter fraud while Newsom defies federal efforts.
Trump fires all EAC commissioners using new SCOTUS power from Trump v. Slaughter, leaving agency leaderless 4 months before midterms. Fox News snubs Trump's election fantasy, signaling media shift. Matthew Cohen warns of USPS mail-in order, potential ICE at polls, and disinformation as top threat; state law enforcement planning to block federal agents. Trump's China election interference claims debunked; declassified files show Russia was bigger player. DHS noncitizen voter claim debunked again. New partisan Election Crime Bureau report reinforces stolen election narrative. Democrats introduce bill to close foreign money loophole. Slotkin warns of authoritarian midterm playbook. Cammack pushes staffer background checks. Open letter urges reopening Konnech case. Trump pushes new voting restrictions. Democrats coordinated pushback. DHS chief Mullin vows to hunt voter fraud; Newsom defies. 3 campaign workers indicted in RI. US disengaging from international election observation. House Intelligence Committee advances election security amendments. 2020 election denial resurges. Wisconsin governor race fluid. Florida GOP infighting. South Carolina Senate primary chaos. Top donor Timothy Mellon slashed donations. Secretaries of state gather without federal agencies. Local official rebuts voter fraud claims. Arizona primary: election denier Kolodin wins Secretary of State. Trump gutted CISA. DC Circuit stays injunction on mail-in ballot order; Treasury finds $99M in payments to dead people. Private intelligence firms running global election interference ops. France proposes tougher penalties. Trump tamped down explicit election interference rhetoric in Georgia stump speech but still hints at 'cheating'. He is campaigning more than in 2018. New voter suppression: rescinding nursing home voting guidance. Analysis warns of election emergency chaos. SCOTUS NRSC v. FEC ruling allows party committees to coordinate unlimited spending with candidates, reshaping campaign finance. The ruling is actually slowing MAGA Inc.'s spending rollout; Trump's team is being methodical, holding back $400M war chest for tight races. Trump reluctant to pressure China after claiming election interference; Dems run tabletop exercises on ICE at polls. North Carolina Senate race: Cooper (D) vs. Whatley (R), Cooper lead narrowing to 4 points, both staking positions on tariffs and Iran war.