The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for July 22, 2026
President Trump’s July 16th speech included elements of an activist-proposed national security executive order which surfaced in March. New reporting suggests representatives of election denier groups, including Election Integrity Network’s Cleta Mitchell, were briefed by the White House before the speech.
ProPublica reported in March about a DC meeting which convened 2020 activists to strategize about actions in the 2026 midterms. Allegedly discussed was a 17-page activist-proposed executive order, suggesting that evidence of foreign interference could be a pretext to declare a national emergency and federalize U.S. election administration.
The proposed order states, “There is now clear and compelling evidence from court cases and forensic analysis that these threats have not been mitigated but instead have intensified,” UNQUOTE. It goes on to cite debunked 2020 conspiracy theories involving ballot tabulators compromised by foreign actors and fraudulent voting by domestic accomplices – a striking similarity to elements of the President’s speech.
MSNow reported July 16th that activist Cleta Mitchell facilitated a White House briefing for election integrity groups prior to Trump’s speech, including True the Vote and PA Fair Elections. Contents of the briefing were not disclosed.
Election law scholars say such an order federalizing elections under the National Emergencies Act would be unconstitutional under the Elections Clause, even in an emergency. We’ve linked the activists’ proposal at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Roll Call –Transcript of President Donald Trump’s July 16, 2026 Speech on Election Security
The White House – Declassified documents on which President Trump based his accusations.
FactCheck.org – FactChecking Trump’s Election Security Speech
ProPublica – Trump Officials Attended a Summit of Election Deniers Who Want the President to Take Over the Midterms
Democracy Docket – Read a draft of the emergency executive order for Trump to take control of elections (bottom of the page)
Washington Post – Trump, seeking executive power over elections, is urged to declare emergency
Center for American Progress – The Trump Administration Has No Legal Authority To Invoke National Security and Take Over Elections
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – Citing Select Declassified Documents President Trump Blames 2020 Loss on China, Says ‘Deep State’ Withheld Intelligence from Him
American Democracy Minute – Meeting of 2020 Trump Election Operatives Considers 2026 Litigation Strategies and Declaring a National Emergency to Interfere with the Midterms
Groups Taking Action:
Campaign Legal Center, League of Women Voters, FairVote
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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