Democracy Dies in Darkness
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Trump, seeking executive power over elections, is urged to declare emergency

Activists who say they are in coordination with the White House are circulating a draft executive order that would unlock extraordinary presidential power over voting.

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A voter fills out their ballot in Midlothian, Virginia, in 2024. (Matt McClain/The Washington Post)
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Pro-Trump activists who say they are in coordination with the White House are circulating a 17-page draft executive order that claims China interfered in the 2020 election as a basis to declare a national emergency that would unlock extraordinary presidential power over voting.

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What readers are saying

The comments express strong opposition to the idea of declaring a national emergency to gain executive power over elections, viewing it as a dangerous power grab and a threat to democracy. Many commenters liken the situation to historical instances of authoritarianism, suggesting... Show more
This summary is AI-generated. AI can make mistakes and this summary is not a replacement for reading the comments.
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Isaac Arnsdorf is a senior White House reporter. His reporting from the scene of the Trump assassination attempt was central to The Post’s coverage that won the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News. iarnsdorf
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