Experts Warn Trump Plotting to Rig 2026 Midterm Elections

Former Maricopa County official and Brennan Center director raise concerns about Trump's efforts to sow doubt and pressure Congress

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Experts are sounding the alarm that former President Donald Trump is laying the groundwork to meddle in the 2026 midterm elections. Stephen Richer, former recorder of Maricopa County, Arizona, warned that Trump is likely to focus on "sowing doubt" about election integrity and pressuring Republican allies in Congress to refuse to seat Democratic winners. Meanwhile, Sean Morales-Doyle of the Brennan Center for Justice argued that Trump's "campaign to rig our elections is well underway," pointing to his pardons of January 6th rioters and threats against election officials.

Why it matters

Trump's efforts to undermine faith in US elections pose a serious threat to American democracy. If successful, his actions could lead to disputed election results, a refusal by Congress to seat legitimately elected members, and a constitutional crisis. This story highlights the ongoing challenges in safeguarding the integrity of US elections.

The details

Richer expressed concern about Trump's ability to "muddy waters in tight races" and pressure Republican allies to refuse to seat Democratic winners by claiming disputes about the results. He warned that California could be vulnerable due to the state's slow vote-counting process. Morales-Doyle pointed to Trump's pardons of January 6th rioters and threats against election officials as the start of his "election subversion campaign." However, Morales-Doyle also noted efforts across the country to push back against Trump's attacks on election integrity.

  • In 2021, Trump pardoned rioters who violently stormed the US Capitol on January 6.
  • A few weeks ago, Trump reiterated his threats to prosecute election officials who ran the 2020 election.
  • Just days later, FBI agents seized ballots and election records from 2020 in Fulton County, Georgia.

The players

Stephen Richer

Former recorder of Maricopa County, Arizona, who has expressed concern about Trump's efforts to meddle in the 2026 midterm elections.

Sean Morales-Doyle

Director of the Brennan Center for Justice's voting rights and elections program, who argued that Trump's "campaign to rig our elections is well underway."

Donald Trump

The former president who experts say is laying the groundwork to interfere in the 2026 midterm elections.

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What they’re saying

“Where I think President Trump is most potent is still in the post-election procedures, still in sowing doubt in the minds of enough Americans that they don't think the elections are legitimate and, therefore... the Congress doesn't have to seat its new members.”

— Stephen Richer, Former recorder of Maricopa County, Arizona (The Atlantic)

“We have every reason to expect more actions like these in the coming months. A few weeks ago, Mr. Trump reiterated his threats to prosecute election officials who ran the 2020 election. Just days later, FBI agents seized ballots and election records from 2020 in Fulton County, Georgia.”

— Sean Morales-Doyle, Director of the Brennan Center for Justice's voting rights and elections program (The New York Times)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This story highlights the ongoing threat to American democracy posed by former President Trump's efforts to undermine faith in the electoral process. It underscores the importance of vigilant efforts by election officials, advocates, and voters to safeguard the integrity of US elections.