Atlanta, Philadelphia, Detroit Officials Resist Trump’s Call to Nationalize Elections
TL/DR –
Donald Trump’s suggestion for Republicans to “nationalize” elections has been met with backlash from officials in Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Detroit. Trump, in a recent podcast, specifically mentioned these cities, suggesting they were corrupt. States currently control their own elections according to Article 1 of the Constitution, and Trump’s comments have been decried as an “undemocratic attempt to silence the American people”.
Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Detroit officials vowed to defend local election control following President Trump’s call for Republicans to “nationalize\” elections, singling out these cities.
Trump suggested Republicans take over voting in several locations during a podcast appearance, raising nationwide concern.
Article 1 of the Constitution mandates that each state regulates its elections, but the federal government can set broad rules.
Fulton County, Georgia, officials expressed outrage following Trump’s remarks and the recent FBI search of a Fulton County election hub related to the 2020 presidential election. Trump’s long-standing false claims that the 2020 Georgia election was “stolen” were disputed by Biden’s victory.
Robb Pitts, chair of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, pledged to fight for voter’s rights against any takeover attempts.
Pitts, a Democrat, warned of the constitutional risks of this fight.
Trump singled out Georgia in his remarks, alleging he’d won states that were falsely counted against him and predicted “interesting things” following a court order to review the ballots.
Brad Raffensperger, a Republican Georgia Secretary of State, dismissed Trump’s claims as “outdated” in a statement.
Raffensperger advised lawmakers to concentrate on improving state election administration rather than reviving outdated claims or attempting to federalize it.
Trump later clarified he was referring to Atlanta, Detroit, and Philadelphia, all of which have large Black populations and voted against Trump in both his presidential runs. Trump has repeatedly claimed voter fraud in these areas without evidence.
Philadelphia’s Lisa Deeley dismissed Trump’s election administration attacks as a diversion tactic.
Detroit’s City Clerk, Janice Winfrey, defended the city’s transparent and fair election record and decried any takeover as partisan politics.
Winfrey reiterated that Detroit’s elections have always been fair and transparent.
Nationwide, 24 Democratic governors criticized Trump’s proposal, calling it “undemocratic.”
They condemned Trump’s attempt to strip states of their election administration rights as an undemocratic move.
National Republicans also opposed Trump’s calls to nationalize elections, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune stating he is “not in favor” of such a plan.
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