US officials prepare for chaos amid concerns Trump will try use federal power to swing midterms

US state and local election officials across the country are preparing for potential federal interference in the November midterm elections, fearing President Donald Trump may use federal power to tilt the vote in favor of Republicans. Officials are hiring lawyers, fortifying offices, and planning legal responses to scenarios including federal agents at polling places and demands for voting machines, according to Reuters interviews with more than 50 officials from both parties.

US state and local election officials across the country are preparing for potential federal interference in the November midterm elections, fearing President Donald Trump may use the power of the federal government to tilt the vote in favor of Republicans. Reuters interviewed more than 50 officials from both parties, including a dozen secretaries of state. Nearly all said they are adopting new strategies to prepare for political interference, misinformation, cyber attacks, and threats of violence. In California, officials have gamed out scenarios involving federal agents at polling places. In Michigan, officials are advising clerks on how to respond to demands for voting machines. More than a dozen officials said they are hiring outside lawyers to prepare for potential demands for sensitive voting records. The White House dismissed concerns, blaming Democrats for distrust and claiming the administration is enforcing election laws. Trump has urged supporters to 'cheat like hell' and vote whether registered or not. The preparations reflect alarm that the biggest threat may come from the administration itself, not foreign meddling.