Constitutional lawyer and writer David French has issued a stark warning regarding what he perceives as efforts by former President Donald Trump to unlawfully influence the upcoming 2026 midterm elections. In an op-ed published on October 22, 2023, in The New York Times, French expressed concerns about the potential consequences of Trump’s actions on the electoral process.
Concerns Over Complacency and Historical Precedent
French emphasized that many citizens remain unaware of the risks posed by a president who disregards legal norms. He stated, “A president who doesn’t care about the law, who commands an obedient Congress and is supported by a radicalized base of tens of millions of people who believe his lies, represents a threat to the next election.” His remarks serve as a call to action, urging the public to be vigilant and not to underestimate the situation.
Drawing from history, French referenced the January 6 Capitol riot, highlighting how Trump’s repeated false claims about the 2020 election being “rigged” contributed to the unrest. He argued that recent developments indicate that Trump is actively seeking to manipulate the electoral outcomes to his advantage.
Recent Developments Raise Alarm
Among the troubling signs cited by French was a recent FBI raid on a Georgia election center, which raised questions about election integrity. He pointed out the involvement of Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s director of national intelligence, as particularly concerning. Furthermore, French highlighted that Trump’s mass deportation operations, which have been criticized for racially profiling suspects, could deter nonwhite Americans from voting due to fear, potentially suppressing voter turnout.
French also noted Trump’s continued dissemination of false claims regarding the 2020 election, including a social media post alleging that Italian satellites had hacked American voting machines to alter votes in favor of former President Joe Biden. These actions, according to French, collectively suggest that Trump may be attempting to shape the electoral landscape in a way that benefits him.
In conclusion, French posited that many Americans have not adequately considered the implications of Trump’s influence over future elections. He warned, “You may realize that Trump can unlawfully influence an election without explicitly rigging the count. By deterring his enemies from coming to the polls, he can engineer the outcomes he seeks.” He framed his warnings as an urgent alarm, urging citizens to recognize the seriousness of the situation. “Consider this to be something like a fire drill. It’s an alarm, one of thousands that should be ringing across the country,” French concluded, emphasizing the need for public awareness and action in the face of potential electoral manipulation.