Trump’s SHOCKING plan to ATTACK upcoming election is REVEALED
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Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Steve Bannon publicly declared ICE would "surround the polls" in November, a statement interpreted as a direct voter intimidation tactic.
- ❖Deploying ICE at polling locations is illegal, but past actions by federal agencies under the Trump administration suggest a disregard for legal constraints.
- ❖Donald Trump has advocated for Republicans to "take over the voting" in specific states, aligning with Bannon's proposed actions.
- ❖A Trump campaign spokesperson's refusal to guarantee ICE would not be at polls is seen as part of the intimidation strategy.
- ❖States must harden election systems and review polling location security, while federal action is needed to designate polls as "sensitive locations" for law enforcement.
- ❖Legal challenges, though difficult to initiate pre-emptively, are crucial to prevent such actions.
Insights
1Stated Plan for Voter Intimidation
Steve Bannon explicitly stated, "We're going to have ICE surround the polls come November," a declaration the hosts interpret as a direct threat to election integrity and a tactic for voter intimidation. This is not a hypothetical but a publicly broadcast intention.
Steve Bannon's quote: "You're damn right. We're going to have ICE surround the polls come November."
2Illegality and Historical Precedent
Deploying ICE to surround polling places is deemed "totally illegal" by Mark Elias, yet he notes the Trump administration's history of federal law enforcement operating outside legal bounds. Elias cites federal judges and prosecutors who have called out or resigned over illegal actions by federal agencies like ICE and CPB, which he describes as acting as a "paramilitary force."
Elias states, "is it legal? No, it wouldn't be legal. It would be totally illegal. But honestly look at the images of what we have seen ICE do. I mean the Trump administration has ICE and CPB and the other federal law enforcement entities that are acting as his as his paramilitary force. They're breaking all kinds of laws."
3Targeted Federal Takeover of Elections
Donald Trump has called for Republicans to "take over the voting" in specific "15 places," which is seen as a complementary strategy to Bannon's ICE proposal. The hosts connect Trump's rhetoric about non-citizens voting illegally to Bannon's plan, suggesting a coordinated effort to target specific electoral areas.
Donald Trump's quote: "The Republicans should say, 'We want to take over. We should take over the voting the voting in at least many 15 places. The Republicans ought to nationalize the voting.'"
4Strategic Non-Denial as Intimidation
A Trump campaign spokesperson, Caroline Levit, refused to guarantee that ICE agents would not be at polling locations, a stance interpreted by Mark Elias as a deliberate intimidation tactic rather than a simple evasion. Elias argues that the non-denial itself serves to intimidate voters by signaling the possibility of such actions.
Caroline Levit's quote: "I can't guarantee that an ICE agent won't be around a polling location in November. I mean, that's frankly a very silly hypothetical question." Elias's interpretation: "Donald Trump doesn't want you to think he's not going to do it."
Lessons
- Blue states should immediately harden their election systems, ensuring ballot security and reviewing the physical geography of polling locations for potential vulnerabilities to federal interference.
- Advocate for federal legislation or executive action to designate polling places as "sensitive locations" where federal law enforcement, including ICE, is prohibited from operating.
- Support organizations like Democracy Docket that are prepared to initiate legal challenges against any attempts to deploy federal agents for voter intimidation at polling sites.
Safeguarding Elections Against Federal Interference
Harden State Election Systems: Implement measures to secure ballots against seizure and ensure the integrity of voting processes.
Strategic Polling Location Review: Analyze the physical layout of polling places, including ingress/egress, parking, and potential street closures, to develop contingency plans against disruption or intimidation.
Advocate for "Sensitive Location" Designation: Push federal lawmakers to include polling places in the list of sensitive locations where federal law enforcement is traditionally restricted.
Notable Moments
Steve Bannon's direct statement about ICE surrounding polls.
This public declaration serves as a clear warning of potential voter intimidation tactics and frames the subsequent discussion on legal and political counter-strategies.
Donald Trump's statement about Republicans taking over voting in specific locations.
This reveals a coordinated effort to influence election outcomes through federal control, complementing the intimidation tactics proposed by Bannon.
Caroline Levit's refusal to definitively rule out ICE presence at polls.
This moment illustrates how even official statements can be used to create an atmosphere of uncertainty and fear, serving the broader goal of voter suppression.
Quotes
"You're damn right. We're going to have ICE surround the polls come November."
"is it legal? No, it wouldn't be legal. It would be totally illegal."
"The Republicans should say, 'We want to take over. We should take over the voting the voting in at least many 15 places. The Republicans ought to nationalize the voting.'"
"I can't guarantee that an ICE agent won't be around a polling location in November. I mean, that's frankly a very silly hypothetical question."
Q&A
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