Former Officials Warn Trump Administration Threatens Democratic Foundations

Former presidential advisors and officials warn that the United States is shifting from a constitutional republic toward authoritarian governance. They argue that Donald Trump is attempting to centralize control over federal elections in violation of the Constitution, suggesting the administration may not accept losing results in the 2026 congressional elections.

Recent actions cited by these officials include the removal of 75 federal election officials and the pardoning of January 6 attackers. The administration has also pursued election fraud investigations in California and attempted to implement a federal executive order to regulate elections, though multiple courts have blocked that order.

Federal agencies have taken direct action to seize voting materials. The Federal Bureau of Investigations seized 2020 ballots in Fulton County, Georgia, and searched an Ohio voter registration group without a warrant. The United States Department of Justice obtained 2020 ballot images in Maricopa County, Arizona, and demanded 2024 ballots from Wayne County, Michigan.

Further pressure has come from the United States Postal Service, where the Postmaster General endorsed a rule to withhold mail-in ballots from states that refuse to share their voting rolls.