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Krishnamoorthi moves bill after Trump election-takeover remarks
The proposal seeks to bar the use of federal agencies or emergency powers to interfere with U.S. elections.
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Staff Reporter - Sat, 07, Feb 2026
- 10:58 EST
- 15
US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi / X/@CongressmanRaja
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi announced plans to introduce new legislation following remarks by President Donald Trump calling for Republicans to “take over” and “nationalize” U.S. elections.
In a statement, Krishnamoorthi said the proposal, titled the ‘Free Elections Act,’ is intended to reinforce existing constitutional and statutory protections that prohibit federal interference in elections and to make clear that elections cannot be controlled by the executive branch.
Also Read: Lawmakers condemn Trump post depicting Obamas as apes
Trump recently suggested Republicans should “nationalize the voting” in multiple jurisdictions, a proposal that legal experts say would conflict with the U.S. Constitution, which assigns primary responsibility for election administration to states and local governments. His remarks have fueled a broader national debate over federal involvement in elections. In recent media appearances
The comments have drawn bipartisan concern, including from some Republicans, who have warned that federalizing elections would raise serious constitutional issues. The White House has said there are no formal plans to deploy ICE agents at polling places, though officials have declined to categorically rule out their presence near voting locations.
Krishnamoorthi said that his proposed legislation would reaffirm that federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), cannot be deployed at polling places or election sites.
“President Trump’s call for Republicans to ‘take over’ and ‘nationalize’ our elections is already unconstitutional and illegal,” Krishnamoorthi said. The Democrat added that the bill would remove any ambiguity in federal law and prevent the use of emergency powers or federal law enforcement to interfere with the electoral process.
According to Krishnamoorthi’s office, the measure would strengthen existing bans on invoking authorities under the Insurrection Act, the National Emergencies Act, and related statutes to control, monitor, or influence elections.
The proposal comes as Congress is negotiating reforms and funding for the Department of Homeland Security.
Krishnamoorthi said the legislation is aimed at reaffirming that U.S. elections are conducted under the authority of states and local governments and reflect the will of voters, not the directives of any president or political party.
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