# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Dissonance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Dissonance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dissonance)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2026, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/61 "2026-02-06T21:36:48Z")
You sure about that? > **[Democrat Christian Menefee wins U.S. House election in Texas, narrowing slim...](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/democrat-christian-menefee-wins-u-s-house-election-in-texas-narrowing-slim-gop-majority)** > > Menefee will replace the late Rep. Sylvester Turner, a former Houston mayor, who died in March 2025. The seat representing the heavily Democratic Houston-based district has been vacant for nearly a year. > **[Texas Democrat Taylor Rehmet flips Republican state Senate seat Trump won by...](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/texas-democrat-taylor-rehmet-flips-republican-state-senate-seat-trump-won-by-17-points)** > > Trump distanced himself from the loss Sunday, after urging votes for Wambsganss a day earlier. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2026, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/62 "2026-02-06T21:47:41Z")
Virginia is proposing a new congressional map to fight off Republican redistricting, making 10 of 11 seats favorable to Democrats. It’ll come before voters in April, I believe. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2026, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/63 "2026-02-06T21:49:01Z")
My point being that if a Governor calls out the guard to protect voters, Trump will nationalize them and either order them to support ICE, or send them home. ---
**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 6, 2026, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/64 "2026-02-06T21:56:41Z")
Trump has to ask the governor for permission unless there are very narrow circumstances (for things like insurrection or rebellion). He has tried the tactic of pretending that those circumstances were in effect, but the SCOTUS has ruled that he can’t do that (which is why he can’t send NG troops into cities to back up ICE). So, unless the governor is willing to acquiesce to Trump’s request, that isn’t an option for Trump. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2026, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/65 "2026-02-06T22:15:22Z")
As I understand it, a state’s National Guard can be initialized to be part of the United States Army, taking away a Governor’s control, and giving it the President. See Central High, 1956. ---
**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, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/66 "2026-02-06T22:21:26Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > As I understand it, a state’s National Guard can be initialized to be part of the United States Army, taking away a Governor’s control, and giving it the President. As noted above and recently affirmed by the Supreme Court, only under limited circumstances. The president doesn’t just get to yell “I declare emergency” and federalize the NG. ---
**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 6, 2026, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/67 "2026-02-06T22:28:13Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The president doesn’t just get to yell “I declare emergency” and federalize the NG. I mean, he was certainly _trying_ to do that, which is how it ended up in front of the Supreme Court, but they said “no” in a 6-3 ruling. ---
**Author:** ![Dissonance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Dissonance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dissonance)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2026, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/68 "2026-02-07T00:24:47Z")
I think you replied to the wrong post. My only point was that there _are_ reasons to mess with the polls in the south. There always will be, but 2026 in particular is looking very bad for the Republicans. Even in Texas. Where a Republican held senate seat was flipped in a district TFG won by 17 points in 2024. ---
**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 7, 2026, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/69 "2026-02-07T13:10:37Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > Has there ever been a time in American history when the votes cast at a particular place were “thrown out”? On January 5th, 2021 you could’ve said there was never a time in history when an armed lawless mob of rioters would bum-rush the Capitol to disrupt legislative proceedings. But within 24 hours you’d have been proven disastrously wrong. Past performance is never a guarantee of future results. ---
**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 7, 2026, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/70 "2026-02-07T13:22:16Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > [Supreme Court rejects Trump’s effort to deploy National Guard in Illinois - SCOTUSblog](https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/12/supreme-court-rejects-trumps-effort-to-deploy-national-guard-in-illinois/) [Trump federalized the DC national guard for 30 days in August 2025 to perform police action.](https://apnews.com/article/trump-washington-dc-guard-police-crime-cd2bc19a0c6b7e4bf3a2e1da6c57ce6e) Lower courts tried to enjoin it, but so far Trump has prevailed. Court orders are a craps shoot, they don’t always go against Trump, and DC obviously has different legal status from the states. But again: he doesn’t need to hold DC forever. Just long enough to cement the election outcome in his favor. Maybe on Jan 21st 2029, the courts rule that the deployment was flagrantly illegal and he has to stop doing that. Oh well, the election is over and he’s inaugurated. Once Congress certifies him as President, there’s no provision for a do-over. Get comfortable with the term _fait accompli_. ---
**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 7, 2026, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/71 "2026-02-07T13:27:42Z")
> [@RitterSport](#): > > This won’t be a problem in the south because there’s no reason to mess with the polls there. 2 things on this: 1. Republicans mess with polls whether there’s a reason or not, because they’re uncomfortable leaving things to chance. 2. There’s very much a reason to interfere in southern swing states. [Trump just had the FBI raid election offices in Georgia.](https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/trump-administration-escalates-election-meddling-seizing-2020-voting) Suburban Atlanta voters are very much in play again, and Trump has a strong reason to disrupt and discredit the Georgia vote again, as he did in 2020. Florida could be in play as well. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2026, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/72 "2026-02-07T16:37:35Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > I envy Virginians. And it’s better than that. We’re working on passing a referendum that will establish Democratic majorities in 10 of our 11 congressional districts. Trump picked the WRONG STATE TO FUCK WITH. _Sic semper tyrannis!_ Come to Virginia, @carnivorousplant ! Come to _Suffolk!_ It’s a nice place to live. ---
**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 7, 2026, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/73 "2026-02-07T19:57:23Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > Maybe on Jan 21st 2029, the courts rule that the deployment was flagrantly illegal and he has to stop doing that. Oh well, the election is over and he’s inaugurated. He’s ineligible to run again. He’s not going to be on the ballot. > [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > On January 5th, 2021 you could’ve said there was never a time in history when an armed lawless mob of rioters would bum-rush the Capitol to disrupt legislative proceedings. So the answer to my question is “no”, then. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2026, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/74 "2026-02-07T22:39:32Z")
This whole conversation is very germane to this thread: [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/opinion/trump-nationalize-elections.html?unlocked\_article\_code=1.KVA.76ke.WYuwUiddRe1j&smid=url-share](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/07/opinion/trump-nationalize-elections.html?unlocked_article_code=1.KVA.76ke.WYuwUiddRe1j&smid=url-share) (Gift link is to _New York Times_ 31-minute conversation video, and transcript: “ **The Real Threat Isn’t Trump. It’s the MAGA Apparatus.** The round table convenes to debate whether we need to worry about the midterms being free and fair.”) Among other matters, they discuss how US elections are run at the local (precinct) level, so it’s impossible to “rig” them directly…_but_ MAGA has spent several years inserting folks into positions like poll-watchers, county election officials, etc., so it will be easier for them to delegitimize the results (both before and after Election Day), which could have real consequences – amplified by the knowledge that the Jan 6 insurrectionists were pardoned (though Jamelle Bouie, in particular, is rather optimistic on this score, noting how Trump’s actionable “successes” have tended to be when legal and institutional structures aren’t in place to stop him, e.g. ICE thuggery via one agency where the president really does have power). ICE agents (or the like) scaring voters away is discussed as well, but doesn’t seem to be a major concern. At one point they note that the local election workers of all stripes – most of them volunteers – are generally proud of their work, and really do try to run them fairly. A lot depends on EVERYONE being vigilant (take the brave folks of Minneapolis as a guiding light), and encouraging our neighbors to vote and participate in the process. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2026, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/75 "2026-02-07T22:48:15Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > So the answer to my question is “no”, then. Nah. The answer to that particular question in this particular case is: > **[Normalcy bias](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normalcy_bias)** > > Normalcy bias, or normality bias, is a cognitive bias which leads people to disbelieve or minimize threat warnings. Consequently, individuals underestimate the likelihood of a disaster, when it might affect them, and its potential adverse effects. The normalcy bias causes many people to prepare inadequately for natural disasters, market crashes, and calamities caused by human error. About 80% of people reportedly display normalcy bias during a disaster. > The normalcy bias can manifest in response... Remember: I’d never eaten a blueberry muffin until I finally ate a blueberry muffin. Or – more to the point: no President in my lifetime actively plotted and attempted to overthrow the legitimately-elected US government, hailing a human flash-bang grenade mob to facilitate it. Until one did. This one, actually. And did he fail? Sure. And Hitler’s Beer Hall Putsch failed, too (just to anticipate, and point out the fatal logical flaw in, your usual next response), but, AIUI, he went on to do some deeply heinous shit. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2026, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/76 "2026-02-07T23:01:12Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > they note that the local election workers of all stripes – most of them volunteers – are generally proud of their work, and really do try to run them fairly Yes, we are. At least in my 25 years doing it in Nebraska. I’ve only been threatened with a gun once and we five fierce older women stared him down and right out of the polling place. Then reported him to the Election Commissioner. ---
**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 7, 2026, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/77 "2026-02-07T23:11:29Z")
That’s a lot of words to say “no”. There is no mechanism to just “throw out votes” and the chances of any judge allowing the admin to create one are slim to none. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2026, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/78 "2026-02-07T23:16:36Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > That’s a lot of words to say “no”. If person A shows you videotape of four men enjoying Grand Slam Breakfasts at Denny’s at 8:00am, and person B shows you videotape of the same four men, three hours later, robbing a bank, what will you conclude? ---
**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 7, 2026, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/79 "2026-02-07T23:17:19Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > are slim to none. So, possible. ---
**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 7, 2026, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389/80 "2026-02-07T23:19:24Z")
Well, I’m not going to conclude that they’re going to steal all the gold from Fort Knox. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-can-we-counter-trump-putting-ice-agents-at-the-polls/1027389.md?page=5)