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Thanedar condemns Trump's move to seize Detroit ballots
The demand is part of a broader federal push by the U.S. Department of Justice to obtain election materials from key swing states.
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Malvika Choudhary - Tue, 21, Apr 2026
- 13:45 EDT
- 39
Congressman Shri Thanedar / Wikimedia commons
Congressman Shri Thanedar on April 20 condemned a demand by the Justice Department under President Donald Trump seeking the turnover of ballots from the 2024 presidential election in Detroit, calling the move unconstitutional and politically motivated.
In a statement, Thanedar said the proposed federal action amounted to “a racially and politically motivated attempt to take away Detroit’s political power,” and warned it would violate constitutional protections governing elections.
Also Read: Rep. Thanedar urges cabinet to force Trump’s removal
“The people of Detroit deserve political autonomy just as much as anyone else, and Trump’s attempt to take it from them is disgraceful,” he said.
Thanedar argued that the Constitution vests the authority to conduct elections with states, adding that any federal attempt to seize ballots would overstep those powers.
“The Constitution is crystal clear – states are in charge of how they run their elections to choose who gets their electoral votes,” he said. “Donald Trump has no right to make Detroit turn its ballots over to him.”
He further described the move as an attempt to intimidate voters and suppress turnout, calling it “a grave violation of the Constitution’s Electors Clause.”
Thanedar also alleged that Detroit was being targeted due to its demographics and voting patterns, noting that the city has a large Black population and has consistently voted against Trump in recent presidential elections.
“I will be fighting hand in hand with other Detroit leaders to protect our city against this outrageous attack and preserve our democracy,” he said.
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Attorney General Dana Nessel, and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson have jointly criticized the move as federal interference and an attempt to undermine confidence in elections.
The demand is part of a broader federal push by the U.S. Department of Justice to obtain election materials from key swing states. Authorities have sought access to ballots, envelopes, and related records from Michigan’s Wayne County, which includes Detroit, as part of what officials describe as an investigation into election integrity.
According to reports, the request covers approximately 865,000 ballots and follows similar efforts in Georgia and Arizona, where federal authorities have pursued election records tied to earlier elections.
The demand also includes a warning that failure to comply could lead to legal action, escalating tensions between federal and state authorities over control of election processes.
Thanedar’s remarks come amid prior confrontations with Trump. In April 2025, he introduced seven articles of impeachment against the president, accusing him of obstruction of justice, abuse of power, bribery, and corruption. The effort did not advance and was withdrawn before a House vote.
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