# How can we counter Trump putting ICE agents at the polls? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [February 5, 2026, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389 "2026-02-05T15:42:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/21 "2026-02-05T21:11:52Z")
> [@CoolHandCox](#): > > It was answered just above, but it’s lawyers. You anticipate every angle they can take and make sure Judge’s and lawyers and whoever is ready to go. Lots of the polling/voting laws are State laws, so that will come into place. This is done months, weeks, days, in advance. You are filing an injunction to stop them from doing what they are trying to do (or soon will do) because their actions are clear violations of the law. I know that we’ve had poll challenges in the past, such as Covid restrictions, and states have done a fantastic job of being proactive and making sure that things are in place well before it starts. I expect they’ll do the same. It’s kind of refreshing that as screwed up as this country is, the one thing we seem to do a great job of doing is election integrity. Maybe that’s _because_ the federal government takes a back seat for the most part. I think it’s a legitimate concern, but it’s one that state AGs around the country will be ready for. I do expect the administration to try, and when they see resistance they back down. That’s my prediction for what will happen here. I’m also glad that I’m in a state with all absentee voting, and people either mail their votes in or drop them in drop boxes. There isn’t much of a chance for ICE to do anything here. Every state should operate that way. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/22 "2026-02-05T21:27:16Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Federal law prohibits this exact thing, so that’s one big hurdle. > > [18 U.S. Code § 592 - Troops at polls | U.S. Code | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/592) > > > Whoever, being an officer of the Army or Navy, or other person in the civil, military, or naval service of the United States, orders, brings, keeps, or has under his authority or control any troops or armed men at any place where a general or special election is held, unless such force be necessary to repel armed enemies of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both; and be disqualified from holding any office of honor, profit, or trust under the United States. I think the crux of the biscuit is how “any place where a general or special election is held” is defined. For instance in my state it’s illegal to electioneer at a polling location but that’s defined as within 100 feet of where the voting takes place. You can electioneer to your hearts content at 100”1’. As long as they are a reasonable distance from the polling location I think ICE or whoever would have a legitimate argument that they aren’t breaking that law. (Of course that doesn’t even take into account the fact that it would be the DOJ that would have to prosecute). ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/23 "2026-02-05T21:29:57Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > I’m sorry, I thought this was the “How can we counter Trump” thread, not the “We can’t counter Trump” thread A better question might be, “how can we effectively counter Trump”. The courts have proven to be a very slow cudgel so far. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/24 "2026-02-05T21:36:09Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I think it’s a legitimate concern, but it’s one that state AGs around the country will be ready for. > > I do expect the administration to try, and when they see resistance they back down. That’s my prediction for what will happen here. I sure hope so, but it’s the purple and red states with AGs that want the republicans to win who are the big worry. State AG’s have been planning for this for a long time, but so has Project 2025. ETA: I should try to come up with something positive to add, but so far I haven’t found anything. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/25 "2026-02-05T21:44:54Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > I sure hope so, but it’s the purple and red states with AGs that want the republicans to win who are the big worry. Yeah, but what else is new? ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/26 "2026-02-05T21:57:10Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > ETA: I should try to come up with something positive to add, but so far I haven’t found anything. That’s an admirable thought, I think we have many reasons to fear, but if it leads to inaction, we’re doing ourselves a disservice. Positive things we can do is try to help Democrats _get out the vote_ despite intimidation efforts. If you have friends or family that want to vote but are afraid, organize and go in groups - it’s not _safety_ but it keeps you from feeling alone and powerless. Join efforts to provide mobility to others that might not be able to make it to the polls especially in the event of federal opposition if you have the time and means. Probably too late, but more incentives to mail-in-voting are probably going to be ever more important, though of course, those will be challenged as well (very glad I’m in a long settled all-by-mail state myself). Work with local groups, partisan and none, that are likely to resist federal involvement on principles. I know at least one local church (which I disagreed with) who were prepared to offer complete non-violent resistance in 2024 to anyone who attempted to intimidate local voters (not the feds, but…). And again, and above all, _do not despair_. Time enough for that once the full details of Trump’s success (ideally little) to put his tiny little hands on the scales is known. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/27 "2026-02-05T22:01:44Z")
I’ m sure the Dem ptb are getting prepared. I read just yedterday that plans have been, and continue to be worked on. Sorry, I don’t have a cite. Possibly CNN. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/28 "2026-02-05T22:04:52Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > Probably too late, but more incentives to mail-in-voting are probably going to be ever more important, though of course, those will be challenged as well (very glad I’m in a long settled all-by-mail state myself). I would hope (and again, just optimism on my part) that if there is any intimidation at the polls conducted by ICE or any other bad actors, that might spur more states to adopt this who might otherwise have not wanted to make the effort to do it. We are a reactive society, and we have a proven solution already in place and examples of how to implement it successfully. ---
**Author:** ![CoolHandCox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coolhandcox/32/16233_2.png) [@CoolHandCox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CoolHandCox)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/29 "2026-02-05T22:08:08Z")
For context on how many lawyers/lawsuits, in 2020, I remember lawsuit tracking websites showing 500+ state and federal lawsuits filed before election and during the voting (this is not counting after voting was over - those were mostly Trumps). What was important then, mail in voting, deadlines, etc was at the forefront. Same strategy here, just different on what to focus on. And more lawyers. Hopefully, voting happens well enough and Trump just claims the same tired “rigged election” because Judge’s kept polling places open longer, etc (_because Trump fucked with them in the first place_). ---
**Author:** ![Dissonance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Dissonance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dissonance)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/30 "2026-02-05T22:10:51Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > As long as they are a reasonable distance from the polling location I think ICE or whoever would have a legitimate argument that they aren’t breaking that law. (Of course that doesn’t even take into account the fact that it would be the DOJ that would have to prosecute). They would be in my state. Police, peace officers, and soldiers are prohibited from being within 100 feet of a polling location, in uniform or out, unless they are either: 1) exercising their privilege to vote or 2) called upon to preserve the peace, i.e. remove anyone attempting to prevent access to the polls. Of course, that wouldn’t stop them from loitering 101 feet away from polling locations while totally not being there for the express purpose of voter intimidation, wink wink, nudge nudge. Because they expressly aren’t allowed to do that regardless of the distance from the polling location. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/31 "2026-02-05T22:15:36Z")
White House ~~Press~~ Secretary of MiniTruth Karoline Leavitt: “I can’t guarantee that an ICE agent won’t be around a polling location in November…I haven’t heard the president discuss any formal plans to put ICE outside of polling locations.” [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/Z0XgAtj6tuA/maxresdefault.jpg ""I can't guarantee that an ICE agent won't be around a polling location in November..."") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0XgAtj6tuA) ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/32 "2026-02-05T22:32:45Z")
It’s also worth noting that “everyone goes to one place on Tuesday and waits in line to vote” is, by and large, not how elections happen in this country anymore. In 2024, over 60% of votes were cast before election day, either by mail or early in-person voting. Those who vote in person on election day tend to skew Republican because they’ve been the ones discouraging it for the past six years, so “troops at polling places” would potentially have the opposite of the intended effect, ESPECIALLY if it’s being telegraphed months ahead of time and more people vote early as a result. Encourage more people to vote early and intimidation at polling places becomes moot. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/33 "2026-02-05T22:35:25Z")
Intimidation during vote counting, on the other hand, was a very real problem if I recall correctly. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/34 "2026-02-05T22:37:14Z")
Yes, and afterward, in the case of the poll workers that Rudy Giuliani slandered and ended up having to pay restitution to after he lost a defamation lawsuit against him. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/35 "2026-02-05T22:48:05Z")
What needs to happen is for local law enforcement to arrest the ICE members. But it hasn’t happened yet, despite the rampant crimes ICE is committing. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/36 "2026-02-05T23:04:34Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Encourage more people to vote early and intimidation at polling places becomes moot. Only if they vote early by mail. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/37 "2026-02-05T23:07:33Z")
If they try illegally putting armed goons at polling places during early voting, that just gives us more time to shut them down in court. Not to mention they’d be spreading their manpower obscenely thin. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/38 "2026-02-05T23:08:19Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > unless such force be necessary to repel armed enemies of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both; Have you noticed that Trump, Miller, and the rest of MAGA is referring to immigration as “an invasion of military-age males”? There’s a good reason for that. They’re invoking specific loopholes around the use of military force. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/39 "2026-02-05T23:34:23Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > Have you noticed that Trump, Miller, and the rest of MAGA is referring to immigration as “an invasion of military-age males”? There’s a good reason for that. A description which the courts have consistently disagreed with. Unless a polling place is literally being shelled by a foreign army, they don’t get to yell “invasion!” like Michael Scott declaring bankruptcy and get a free pass to break federal law. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2026, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/40 "2026-02-06T00:04:30Z")
> **[Aaron Cohen (@unlikelywords.bsky.social)](https://bsky.app/profile/unlikelywords.bsky.social/post/3me5e3dsiwk2h)** > > A good thing you can do about this instead of dooming is Google “how to become a poll observer in \[your town\]” > > \[contains quote post or other embedded content\] [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389.md?page=3)