Politics · United States · 5 hrs ago
Trump allies urge extraordinary action if midterms are called rigged
MAGA activists are urging President Donald Trump to consider martial law if they believe November’s midterm elections are rigged.
On a September 30 video call, Trump’s childhood friend Peter Ticktin said martial law would be needed and later suggested taking ballots and election equipment.
Tina Peters, a convicted election activist, joined the call and has promoted hand-marked paper ballots and manual recounts.
Other speakers suggested pausing the election or using federal powers to force states to change election procedures.
There is no evidence the midterms will be rigged, and election fraud is rare.
A legal expert says Trump cannot unilaterally delay the vote or take control of state election systems, which states run under federal law.
Allies of President Donald Trump are urging him to consider martial law and other extraordinary measures if they believe November’s midterm elections are rigged.
Trump’s childhood friend and attorney Peter Ticktin said martial law would be necessary in that scenario and also raised seizing ballots and election equipment.
Other activists proposed pausing the election, invoking emergency powers to change election procedures, or replacing voting machines with hand-marked paper ballots.
A Brennan Center lawyer said the president’s emergency powers do not let him override election laws or constitutional limits.
The sources report no evidence that the midterm elections will be rigged.
- Who
- Trump allies and MAGA election activists, including Peter Ticktin and Tina Peters, are urging extraordinary action. A Brennan Center lawyer described legal limits on presidential powers.
- What
- The activists proposed martial law and other measures if they believe the midterms are rigged, including seizing election materials or changing voting procedures.
- When
- The proposals were discussed on a September 30 video call. The midterm elections are scheduled for November; the articles were published October 16, 2026.
- Where
- The discussion took place on a video call streamed on Rumble. Peters and Ticktin also visited Trump at the White House in late June.
- Why
- The activists say they fear election security breaches and a rigged election. The sources say there is no evidence the midterms will be rigged.
Trump allies urging extraordinary measures
Brennan Center legal expert
Presidential action
Trump allies urging extraordinary measures
Ticktin said martial law and commandeering ballots and election equipment might be needed if there is another rigged election.
Brennan Center legal expert
Derek Tisler said emergency powers do not give the president a blank check and that he must follow the Constitution and laws set by Congress.
Election administration
Trump allies urging extraordinary measures
Gregory Stenstrom proposed pausing the election or using emergency powers to force states to change election procedures.
Brennan Center legal expert
Tisler said Congress sets the date of federal elections and states choose voting systems and determine how votes are counted, subject to federal law.
Peters began promoting a plan for hand-marked paper ballots and manual recounts where feasible.
Activists discussed election security concerns and proposed remedies on a video call streamed on Rumble.
Peters and Ticktin visited Trump at the White House.
Peters met with Trump, according to Axios.
- Midterm election
- November 2026
- Video call
- September 30, streamed on Rumble
- Peter Ticktin
- Trump’s childhood friend and attorney
- Tina Peters
- Convicted in 2024 of crimes tied to a breach of election equipment
- Peters’s plan
- Hand-marked paper ballots and manual recounts where feasible
- Legal limits
- Congress sets federal election dates; states choose voting systems and determine how votes are counted
5 sources
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What people are saying
there would have to be martial law in the event... [of] another rigged election
Emergency powers are not just a blank check for the president to go do whatever they want. The president still has to act within the Constitution and within statutes set by Congress.
Americans deserve elections that are safe, secure, and transparent to ensure full confidence in the results. President Trump believes every legal vote must count, every election must be protected, and Americans must have complete confidence in the integrity of our elections.