Trump Calls to Nationalize Elections Amid FBI Georgia Raid

Trump's Push for Federal Election Control

Former President Donald Trump has publicly called for Republicans to 'nationalize the voting' in at least 15 locations, marking a dramatic escalation in his efforts to reshape American election administration. During an appearance on conservative podcaster Dan Bongino's show, Trump declared, 'The Republicans must say: 'We want to take over. We must take over the voting in at least fifteen places.' The Republicans must nationalize the voting.'

Constitutional Clash

Trump's proposal directly contradicts the U.S. Constitution, which grants states primary authority over election administration. According to constitutional provisions, election administration has historically been a state responsibility, with federal oversight limited to specific areas like voting rights enforcement. Legal experts warn that any attempt to federalize election administration would face immediate court challenges.

FBI Raid in Georgia

The timing of Trump's comments coincides with a controversial FBI raid on the Fulton County Department of Registration and Elections in Georgia. Federal agents seized approximately 700 boxes of ballots and voting records from the 2020 presidential election during the January 28, 2026 operation. Trump suggested the raid would reveal 'interesting things' about the 2020 election, which he continues to falsely claim he won despite losing Georgia by approximately 12,000 votes.

Gabbard's Controversial Involvement

Adding to the controversy, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was present during the FBI raid. In a letter to congressional committees, Gabbard defended her presence, stating she 'facilitated a brief phone call so the president could personally thank the agents for their work.' Her involvement has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers, with Senator Jon Ossoff calling her presence 'bizarre and alarming.'

Broader Election Strategy

Trump's call for election nationalization represents part of a broader strategy ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. According to Politifact reporting, the Trump administration has been taking aggressive steps to overhaul U.S. election systems, including having the Justice Department request state voter registration data and spreading falsehoods about election integrity. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows warned, 'The federal government is targeting election officials rather than supporting secure elections.'

Legal and Political Implications

The FBI raid and Trump's nationalization proposal have significant implications for American democracy. Voting rights advocate Ari Berman described the situation as 'the full weaponization of Trump's conspiracy theories' in an interview with Democracy Now. Fulton County officials have announced plans to sue the Trump administration over the raid, questioning its legality and purpose.

As the 2026 midterms approach, election experts warn that these developments could undermine public confidence in election systems and create confusion among state and local election administrators. The coming months will likely see increased legal battles and political confrontations over the fundamental question of who controls American elections.