Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Feb 4: President Donald Trump on Tuesday argued for a greater federal role in overseeing US elections, asserting that states which fail to conduct polls in a “legal and honest” manner should face direct intervention from Washington.
Addressing reporters at the White House after signing a major spending bill, Trump questioned the existing framework under which states administer elections. Emphasising what he called the need for integrity in the voting process, he said the federal government should step in if states are unable to ensure fair and accurate vote counting.
“I want to see elections be honest,” Trump said. “If a state can’t run an election properly, then somebody else should take over.”
He described states as acting on behalf of the federal government during elections and maintained that federal authorities have a responsibility to intervene when irregularities occur. Responding to a reporter who pointed out that the Constitution grants states primary authority over elections, Trump said states may administer polls, but only if they do so honestly.
The President again repeated allegations of electoral misconduct, citing cities such as Detroit, Philadelphia, Atlanta and parts of Pennsylvania as examples. He described elections in these areas as deeply flawed, echoing claims he has made repeatedly in the past.
Trump also renewed his push for mandatory voter identification, arguing that such measures are essential to prevent cheating. “We should have voter ID,” he said, adding that opposition to it could only come from those who want to manipulate elections.
Linking election integrity to public confidence in governance, Trump said the federal government should not tolerate what he described as “crooked elections.”
Shifting focus to immigration, Trump defended his administration’s enforcement approach and dismissed suggestions that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents should be required to obtain search warrants in certain situations, a proposal raised by some Democratic leaders. “No, I’m not thinking about search warrants,” he said.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham strongly supported Trump’s stance, criticising sanctuary city policies and arguing that they act as magnets for illegal immigration. Graham said he intended to introduce legislation to eliminate sanctuary policies and bring the issue to a vote in Congress, adding that it would be a major theme in upcoming elections.
Trump echoed those sentiments, calling sanctuary jurisdictions “a sanctuary for criminals” and urging local governments to cooperate with federal authorities by handing over offenders.
The President also claimed that tougher enforcement policies had led to sharp declines in crime and illegal border crossings. He asserted that violent crime nationwide was at its lowest level in more than a century, saying rates had fallen to levels not seen since 1900.
Trump further alleged widespread fraud in states such as Minnesota and California, suggesting that uncovering such fraud could have major fiscal implications. “If we find the fraud in this country, you’ll have a balanced budget without even cutting anything,” he said.