US officials prepare for chaos amid concerns Trump will try use federal power to swing midterms

Two months before the US midterm elections, state and local officials nationwide are preparing for potential federal interference from the Trump administration. Officials in states like California and Michigan are rehearsing responses to scenarios such as federal agents at polling places, demands for access to voting machines, and legal battles over ballot seizures and voter-fraud investigations. More than 50 election officials interviewed by Reuters expressed alarm that the biggest threat to the elections could come from the Trump administration itself, which has sought to expand the federal government's role in elections, an area traditionally overseen by states.

• The White House has dismissed these concerns, with spokesperson Lauren Bis stating, "The distrust in our elections is caused by extreme Democrats."
• Officials are hiring outside lawyers, expanding public outreach to counter misinformation, and fortifying election offices against physical threats.
• The preparations reflect a shift from cooperation to "apprehension" regarding the federal government's role, according to Bill Gates, a Republican lawyer advising election officials.
• Despite potential legal and political backlash, many officials are not assuming traditional safeguards will hold, given the high stakes of congressional control.