The political scene in the United States is walking a tightrope, as, according to an investigative report by AXIOS, MAGA activists and close allies of Donald Trump are now openly discussing the imposition of extraordinary measures, even the declaration of Martial Law, should they deem the upcoming midterm elections to be «rigged».
As AXIOS reveals, some of the proposals circulating exceed any lawful authority of Donald Trump, although there is zero evidence that the elections will be manipulated.
However, the figures spearheading these unprecedented claims maintain direct access to the American President.
A characteristic example is well-known MAGA activist Tina Peters, who met with Donald Trump this month, while together with her attorney, Peter Ticktin, had also visited the White House in late June.
Tina Peters, who was convicted in 2024 of crimes related to tampering with voting equipment, was released this year following the commutation of her sentence by the Democratic Governor of Colorado, Jared Polis (she did not respond to requests for comment).
«Martial Law and seizure of ballot boxes»
The escalation of rhetoric was vividly captured during an online video call for MAGA activists on September 30, which was streamed on the Rumble platform.
There, speakers warned of widespread election security breaches in November, urgently demanding drastic solutions.
Peter Ticktin, a childhood friend of Donald Trump, stated openly on the call that «martial law should be declared in the event... of another rigged election».
Speaking later to AXIOS, he added pointedly: «It would probably take seizing the ballots and the voting equipment to make sure we get to the truth before anything else happens».
Gregory Stenstrom, who had testified regarding alleged election irregularities in Pennsylvania in 2020, argued that he desires above all the suspension of elections due to security concerns.
Alternatively, he suggested that Donald Trump invoke the National Emergencies Act to force states to alter how elections are run (he was not available for comment).
Concurrently, Tina Peters has been promoting her own plan since August, which envisions switching to hand-marked paper ballots and the manual hand-counting of all ballots wherever feasible.
Peter Ticktin explained that this «would eliminate any effect the machines have».
The hosting of these regular discussions, which draw voices from across the country, has been undertaken by Steve Stern, who directs viewers to register through the Republican Party as poll watchers and observers (Steve Stern declined an interview request).
Trump's MAGA allies are openly discussing martial law if they believe the November midterm elections are rigged. Peter Ticktin, Trump's childhood friend and attorney for election activist Tina Peters, said martial law might be necessary, along with seizing ballots and election equipment. Another activist proposed suspending the elections or invoking emergency powers to change state voting systems. Legal experts say Trump has no authority to delay federal elections, seize election materials or override state election laws, even under martial law. Source: Axios
— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 16, 2026
What the Constitution provides: The legal limits
In response to these extreme scenarios, legal experts are sounding the alarm.
Derek Tisler, counsel at the elections and government program of the Brennan Center, clarifies to AXIOS: «Emergency powers are not a blank check for the President to do whatever he wants. The President must act within the bounds of the Constitution and the laws established by Congress».
Derek Tisler underlines the strict legal barriers:
Congress sets the date of federal elections.
Donald Trump cannot unilaterally postpone the midterm elections.
The states select voting systems and counting methods.
Donald Trump cannot mandate nationwide manual recounts or the replacement of machines.
Emergency powers and martial law do not grant the President the authority to seize election materials or bypass federal and state election laws.
Shadows and dissent inside the administration
The challenge to the results of the 2020 election extends even into the interior of the Donald Trump administration, reaching officials now involved in election integrity.
Heather Honey, known for denying the results of 2020 in Pennsylvania and Arizona, now serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Election Integrity at the Department of Homeland Security and senior adviser to the Director of ICE.
White House adviser Peter Navarro continues to promote his own report alleging mass election fraud and irregularities in the 2020 elections.
For his part, David Becker, executive director of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, comments caustically: «This election didn't sneak up on the administration. They've been in office for 21 months. We're 20 days out from the election and they haven't done any of this».
In a statement to AXIOS, White House spokesperson Lauren Bis emphasized: «Americans deserve elections that are secure, safe, and transparent, so that full confidence in the outcomes is ensured.
President Donald Trump believes that every legal vote must be counted, every electoral process must be protected, and the American people must have absolute confidence in the integrity of our elections».
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