The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for March 13, 2026
In our recent Midterm Madness series, we’re discussing the tactics being proposed by the Trump administration and others to interfere in the 2026 midterm. Recently, former Trump advisor Steve Bannon suggested the U.S. military and ICE agents surround polling places. Could that happen?
Shortly after President Trump told another podcaster, QUOTE, “The Republicans ought to nationalize the voting,” on February 3rd Bannon first suggested ICE agents should surround the polls, then later suggested that President Trump should call up the 82nd and 101st Airborne under the Insurrection Act.
Some Americans view such deployments as preventing alleged widespread, but in actuality almost nonexistent, voter fraud. Others see it as widespread voter intimidation and suppression, particularly among Black and Hispanic communities.
Under Title 18 Section 592 of the U.S. Code, U.S. military officers are prevented from deploying troops to a polling place. Governors, however, do have the authority to deploy the National Guard to polls during emergencies. Several states activated Guard personnel for pandemic election workers and state cybersecurity roles in 2020. But when a state’s National Guard is FEDERALIZED, a 2018 Department of Defense directive prohibits both DOD and National Guard personnel from any role in elections.
What about deploying ICE agents at the polls? More on that in our next report.
We have our resources at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Politico – Steve Bannon calls for Trump to deploy ICE and military troops to polling sites
Brennan Center for Justice – (2025) Federal and State Election Laws Ban Federal Forces from Polling Places
Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute – US Code, Title 18, Part 1, Chapter 29, Section 592
U.S. Dept. of Defense – (2018) Department of Defense DIRECTIVE NUMBER 3025.18
The War Horse – (2024) Q&A: How, When and Can the U.S. Military Be Deployed in American Cities around the Election?
Votebeat – Trump regrets not calling up troops after the 2020 election. What stops him in 2026?
Military Times – (2020) Here’s how the National Guard is supporting the Nov. 3 election
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – (2025) Trump DOJ Says It Will Monitor Elections Nov. 4th in Five California Counties. Many Fear It’s a Voter Intimidation Tactic.
American Democracy Minute – (February 2026) In Stunning Statement, a U.S. President Suggests ‘Republicans Ought to Nationalize the Voting.’
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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