Trump renews call to nationalize voting, sparking backlash

Donald Trump is doubling down on controversial remarks suggesting Republicans should consider nationalizing voting.

(NBC)- Donald Trump is doubling down on controversial remarks suggesting Republicans should consider nationalizing voting, comments that have ignited sharp criticism from Democrats and prompted constitutional concerns from members of his own party.

In a podcast released this week with his former deputy FBI director, Trump said he wants elections to be “honest” and argued Republicans should “take over the voting” in multiple places, adding that the party “ought to nationalize the voting.” The comments quickly drew backlash, as the U.S. Constitution grants states primary authority over administering elections.

Democrats were swift to condemn the remarks. Chuck Schumer called the proposal “dangerous autocratic poison,” warning it would undermine constitutional norms and states’ rights.

Top Republicans also pushed back, emphasizing that elections have long been administered by states. Mike Johnson said it has “always been the responsibility of the states to administer elections,” while Senate leaders echoed similar concerns.

Republicans pointed instead to the SAVE Act, a GOP-backed bill that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote, saying that was the context of Trump’s remarks. John Thune said ensuring that only U.S. citizens vote is a goal shared across party lines. Federal and state law already prohibit non-citizens from voting in elections.

The controversy comes as Trump continues to falsely claim the 2020 election was stolen through widespread fraud — allegations that have been repeatedly debunked by courts, election officials, and independent reviews.

Tensions escalated further after the Federal Bureau of Investigation last week raided a Fulton County, Georgia election center, seizing ballots and records tied to the 2020 election. Tulsi Gabbard observed the raid, and sources say she facilitated a phone call between Trump and FBI agents involved in the search — a move that sparked additional outrage among Democrats.

A senior administration official defended Gabbard’s involvement, citing her role in election security. The developments have intensified debate over federal authority, election oversight, and the future of U.S. voting laws.