Trump Targets 2026 Midterms, Dems Warn of ‘Subverted’ Elections

Paul Riverbank, 2/9/2026Democrats warn Trump could subvert 2026 elections; voting rights and trust in democracy debated.

What’s fueling this spike in political anxiety? Partly, it’s Trump’s recent rhetoric. He’s escalated talk of “nationalizing elections” and urged his party to “take control of the voting,” ratcheting up tensions in an already brittle political climate. Even the recent headlines out of Georgia have added to the sense that all is not well: an FBI raid on a Fulton County election office has become yet another flashpoint, particularly in a state where Trump lost by a whisker four years ago and allegations still smolder.

“The stakes are higher than ever. They say what they’re going to do, and then they go out and do it,” Schiff said, gesturing toward a pattern some Democrats say can’t be ignored. His concerns sounded less like partisanship than a warning issued one more time, for the record: Ignore the signs at your own peril.

Governor Wes Moore, over at CNN, added his own, somewhat embittered assessment. “You’re seeing a president trying to make the pain permanent,” he said, not so much as an accusation, but as a lament for the system’s slow erosion. Moore traced the present rancor straight back to Trump’s outreach to Texas on redistricting—his version: Trump called, asked for more congressional seats, and lines started shifting, “Sharpie in hand, behind closed doors,” as Moore described it. Even Maryland, Moore’s own state, has been dragged into the fray, losing dollars and jobs, the governor claims, as a result of this ongoing tug-of-war over political maps.

Both men, for all their warnings, settled on a familiar solution: turnout. Massive turnout. “The only true safeguard we have is to generate the largest voter turnout in U.S. history,” Schiff argued, raising the now-prevalent worry that neither Congress nor the courts can be trusted to hold the line alone.

Meanwhile, Moore, perhaps channeling a bit of old-school civics, called for robust debate and personal responsibility: “It’s on all of us to defend democracy. Don’t leave it for someone else.”

At the core of these worries sits the SAVE America Act, a proposed law with the potential to reshape how Americans vote. It would require anyone registering to show proof of citizenship—think birth certificates or passports, not just a driver’s license. Backers claim this is just common sense. Critics like Schiff warn it could act as a trapdoor out of the electorate for citizens who, for any number of very human reasons, might not possess the right paperwork. “People would be disenfranchised. Citizens,” he said flatly.

Here’s where the story bends in a more complicated direction: The public—at least in surveys—tends to favor tougher rules. Eighty-three percent of Americans, according to Pew, back photo ID requirements when heading to the polls. The breakdown by party reveals the divide: 95% of Republicans in favor, but even among Democrats, support sits at 71%.

This isn’t a simple tug-of-war over process. It’s a fundamental debate over what needs more protection: access to the ballot or confidence in the process. Trump’s critics remain consistent in their warnings about future plots to restrict voting or dispute results. Proponents of stricter rules counter that any erosion in confidence is itself a risk to democracy, requiring a firmer grip on the ballot box.

As we move closer to 2026, with memories of recent upheavals still fresh, leaders like Schiff and Moore seem intent on sounding the alarm before trouble arrives. To most voters, those alarms land as both a challenge and a call to action: Pay close attention and prepare for an election fight where the stakes may not just be partisan—they may shape the very trust Americans place in their democracy for years to come.

On Sunday morning, Sen. Adam Schiff’s frustration was palpable—and he didn’t bother with gentle phrasing. Appearing on ABC’s “This Week,” Schiff accused former President Donald Trump of plotting to undermine American democracy in the run-up to 2026. “He’s ready to act if Republicans lose,” Schiff insisted, drawing an unmistakable line between Trump’s recent warnings and the tumultuous aftermath of 2020. “He tried once before, up to and including an insurrection,” Schiff reminded viewers, his voice only just short of incredulous.What’s fueling this spike in political anxiety? Partly, it’s Trump’s recent rhetoric. He’s escalated talk of “nationalizing elections” and urged his party to “take control of the voting,” ratcheting up tensions in an already brittle political climate. Even the recent headlines out of Georgia have added to the sense that all is not well: an FBI raid on a Fulton County election office has become yet another flashpoint, particularly in a state where Trump lost by a whisker four years ago and allegations still smolder.“The stakes are higher than ever. They say what they’re going to do, and then they go out and do it,” Schiff said, gesturing toward a pattern some Democrats say can’t be ignored. His concerns sounded less like partisanship than a warning issued one more time, for the record: Ignore the signs at your own peril.Governor Wes Moore, over at CNN, added his own, somewhat embittered assessment. “You’re seeing a president trying to make the pain permanent,” he said, not so much as an accusation, but as a lament for the system’s slow erosion. Moore traced the present rancor straight back to Trump’s outreach to Texas on redistricting—his version: Trump called, asked for more congressional seats, and lines started shifting, “Sharpie in hand, behind closed doors,” as Moore described it. Even Maryland, Moore’s own state, has been dragged into the fray, losing dollars and jobs, the governor claims, as a result of this ongoing tug-of-war over political maps.Both men, for all their warnings, settled on a familiar solution: turnout. Massive turnout. “The only true safeguard we have is to generate the largest voter turnout in U.S. history,” Schiff argued, raising the now-prevalent worry that neither Congress nor the courts can be trusted to hold the line alone.Meanwhile, Moore, perhaps channeling a bit of old-school civics, called for robust debate and personal responsibility: “It’s on all of us to defend democracy. Don’t leave it for someone else.”At the core of these worries sits the SAVE America Act, a proposed law with the potential to reshape how Americans vote. It would require anyone registering to show proof of citizenship—think birth certificates or passports, not just a driver’s license. Backers claim this is just common sense. Critics like Schiff warn it could act as a trapdoor out of the electorate for citizens who, for any number of very human reasons, might not possess the right paperwork. “People would be disenfranchised. Citizens,” he said flatly.Here’s where the story bends in a more complicated direction: The public—at least in surveys—tends to favor tougher rules. Eighty-three percent of Americans, according to Pew, back photo ID requirements when heading to the polls. The breakdown by party reveals the divide: 95% of Republicans in favor, but even among Democrats, support sits at 71%.This isn’t a simple tug-of-war over process. It’s a fundamental debate over what needs more protection: access to the ballot or confidence in the process. Trump’s critics remain consistent in their warnings about future plots to restrict voting or dispute results. Proponents of stricter rules counter that any erosion in confidence is itself a risk to democracy, requiring a firmer grip on the ballot box.As we move closer to 2026, with memories of recent upheavals still fresh, leaders like Schiff and Moore seem intent on sounding the alarm before trouble arrives. To most voters, those alarms land as both a challenge and a call to action: Pay close attention and prepare for an election fight where the stakes may not just be partisan—they may shape the very trust Americans place in their democracy for years to come.