ICE Chief Undermines Trump's Midterm Election Plan

Analysis suggests ICE head's comments undercut Trump's push to deploy agents at polling sites

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has undermined former President Donald Trump's reported plan to deploy ICE agents at polling sites during the upcoming midterm elections. In testimony before Congress, ICE chief Todd Lyons said there is 'no reason' for ICE to be present at polling locations, contradicting statements from the Trump camp suggesting otherwise.

Why it matters

Trump's allies, including former advisor Steve Bannon, had previously suggested using ICE agents to monitor polling sites, raising concerns about voter intimidation and suppression. Lyons' comments undercut those plans and could complicate any efforts by Trump to pressure officials to station ICE at voting locations.

The details

In his testimony, Lyons told the Senate Homeland Security Committee that ICE's role is for 'civil enforcement and criminal law enforcement', and that there is 'no reason for us to deploy to a polling station.' Democratic elections attorney Marc Elias praised Lyons for 'saying the truth' but warned that Trump may still try to insist on ICE presence at polls anyway, despite the lack of legal justification.

  • Lyons made the comments during testimony before the Senate Homeland Security Committee last week.
  • The midterm elections in the United States are scheduled for November 2026.

The players

Todd Lyons

The head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Steve Bannon

Former advisor to President Donald Trump who suggested using ICE agents to monitor polling sites.

Marc Elias

Democratic Party elections attorney who specializes in voting rights and has threatened to sue the administration if ICE agents appear at polling locations.

Kristi Noem

The governor of South Dakota who Elias suggests Trump may pressure to deploy ICE agents at polls.

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What they’re saying

“Obviously we do civil enforcement and criminal law enforcement. There's no reason for us to deploy to a polling station.”

— Todd Lyons, ICE Head (Senate Homeland Security Committee)

“He gave up the game, and then he stammered and stammered and stammered when asked what would happen if Donald Trump called to deploy ICE at the polls.”

— Marc Elias, Democratic Party Elections Attorney (Progressive Podcast)

“We are facing an existential threat to democracy right now. Steve Bannon didn't just say that there would be ICE in cities; what Steve Bannon said is that it would be ICE surrounding the polls.”

— Marc Elias, Democratic Party Elections Attorney (Progressive Podcast)

What’s next

The judge in any potential lawsuit filed by Elias will decide whether the administration can legally deploy ICE agents at polling sites during the midterm elections.

The takeaway

Lyons' comments undermine Trump's reported plans to use ICE to monitor polling locations, but experts warn the former president may still try to pressure officials to station immigration agents at voting sites despite the lack of legal justification.