The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has denied U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will be “targeting” polling locations during the midterm elections.
Steve Bannon, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, said on his podcast earlier this week that ICE agents would “surround the polls” in November.
In response, a DHS official told Newsweek ICE wasn’t planning poll-focused operations, but could arrest someone near a polling site if agents were pursuing a specific, ongoing threat.
Voting-rights experts note that federal law bars voter intimidation and that multiple laws restrict deploying troops or armed federal law enforcement at polling places, with limited exceptions. Federal law also prohibits any activity that intimidates voters.
Why It Matters
Trump has recently intensified his efforts to undermine the results of the 2020 election, which he lost to President Joe Biden. He has repeated disproven theories that ballots were altered or stolen and that illegal migrants were allowed to cast votes in some states that he lost. Those efforts come as the Trump administration is turning its attention to electoral issues before the midterm elections in November, when control of Congress will be at stake.
Meanwhile, the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, by immigration enforcement agents in separate incidents in Minneapolis last month have amplified scrutiny of ICE.
Congress is currently discussing potential new rules for ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with Democrats threatening to block funding for DHS when it expires in two weeks unless there are “dramatic changes” and “real accountability” for ICE and other agencies carrying out Trump’s campaign of immigration enforcement in Minnesota and across the country.
What To Know
On Tuesday’s edition of Bannon’s War Room podcast, Bannon said that Democrats rely on voter fraud to win elections, suggesting without evidence that illegal migrants are voting in large numbers in Minnesota and New York City.
“You’re damn right we’re gonna have ICE surround the polls come November,” he said.
“We’re not gonna sit here and allow you to steal the country again.”
He added that Democrats are seeking to “defund ICE” to keep agents away from polling sites.
Bannon’s comments came after Trump said in a podcast interview on Monday that Republicans should “take over” elections in as many as 15 states. Legal experts have said the president does not have authority to nationalize elections.
Both Bannon and Trump’s comments have drawn criticism, with some Democrats expressing concerns that ICE agents could be deployed to polling locations in November.
“Pre-Minneapolis occupation, that didn’t ring as true as it potentially rings true right now,” Democratic Senator Mark Warner said.
What People Are Saying
A DHS official told Newsweek: “ICE is not planning operations targeting polling locations. ICE conducts intelligence-driven targeted enforcement, and if an active public safety threat endangered a polling location, they may be arrested as a result of that targeted enforcement action.”
Democratic Senator Mark Warner told reporters on Tuesday: “The idea that the president might send some part of the federal government like ICE into patrol and suddenly people are saying, ‘well, we want to make sure that nobody undocumented shows up at any polling station.’ Again, pre-Minneapolis occupation, that didn’t ring as true as it potentially rings true right now.”
Democratic strategist Matt McDermott wrote on X: “It is critical that any DHS funding agreement include explicit safeguards to prevent ICE from interfering in elections.”
Caroline Wren, a GOP fundraiser, said on Tuesday’s War Room podcast that Democrats are “desperately trying to shut down the DHS funding bill. They don’t want ICE funded because they don’t want ICE at the polling stations to stop illegals from voting.”
Bill Kristol, conservative editor-at-large of The Bulwark and a Trump critic, wrote on X: “Democrats should defund and restrain ICE to the degree possible. And they should insist on this condition at least: No ICE [or Border Patrol] anywhere near the polls or early voting election locations this fall.”
What Happens Next
The midterm elections will take place on November 3.
