Pro-Trump activists are calling for the implementation of martial law and the seizure of votnig equipment to prevent alleged rigging in the upcoming midterm elections. These proposals, discussed among figures like Peter Ticktin and Tina Peters, clash with current legal frameworks and a low presidential approval rating of 38.7%.
Peter Ticktin and Tina Peters Push for Ballot Seizures
During a video call on September 30, attorney and childhood friend of Donald Trump, Peter Ticktin, suggested that martial law would be necessary if the midterms were "rigged." As Axios reported, Ticktin argued that authorities might need to take direct control of election equipment and ballots to investigate alleged irregularities before results are finalized.
Joining the call was Tina Peters, a former Colorado county clerk who was convicted in 2024 for crimes involving a breach of election equipment. After having her sentence commuted by Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Peters has advocated for a return to hand-marked paper ballots and manual recounts. according to the report, Peters has maintained close access to the administration, meeting with President Donald Trump this month and visiting the White House in late June.
Why the National Emergencies Act Cannot Pause the Midterms
Gregory Stenstrom, who previously testified regarding alleged fraud in Pennsylvania after the 2020 election, has proposed that President Donald Trump use the National Emergencies Act to force states to alter their election procedures. Stenstrom specifically advocated for pausing the election entirely due to security concerns.
However, these suggestions face severe legal constraints. Derek Tisler, counsel for the Brennan Center's elections and government program, told Axios that emergency powers do not grant the president the authority to seize election materials or override state laws. Because the U.S. Constitution grants states the authority to regulate the "time, place, and manner" of elections, and Congress sets the federal election date, President Donald Trump cannot unilaterally postpone the midterms.
The 38.7% Approval Gap and Democratic Senate Prospects
These radical proposals emerge as Republicans face a difficult political landscape. According to polling from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ, President Donald Trump currently holds a 38.7% approval rating, while his disapproval stands at 59.4%.
The stakes for the November midterms are high, as they will determine the composition of Congress for the remainder of the term. The Hill/Decision Desk HQ forecast indicates that Democrats have a 56% chance of taking control of the Senate. To secure control of both chambers, Democrats would need to flip a net of 24 House seats and three Senate seats.
Heather Honey and Peter Navarro's Role in the Fraud Narrative
The current push for martial law is an extension of the unresolved grievances surrounding the 2020 election. This narrative is being sustained by individuals within the administration's own orbit, such as White House adviser Peter Navarro, who continues to promote allegations of fraud .
Furthermore, the infleunce of these claims has reached the Department of Homeland Security. Heather Honey, a proponent of election irregularity claims, now serves as the Homeland Security Department's deputy assistant secretary for election integrity. This internal alignment suggests that the distrust of voting machines and electronic systems remains a core tenet for several high-ranking officials and advisers.
Will the White House Formally Reject the Martial Law Proposal?
While the White House told Axios that President Donald Trump believes every legal vote should count and that elections must be transparent, the administration has not explicitly denounced the specific martial law proposals raised by Ticktin and Stenstrom. It remains unclear whether the President views these suggestions as viable options or merely the venting of loyalists.
Additionally, the source does not clarify if the Department of Justice has been briefed on these proposals or if any formal legal memos have been drafted to justify the use of the National Emergencies Act for election interference . The silence on these specific points leaves a gap in understanding how close these theories are to becoming actual policy considerations.
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