Former US intelligence chiefs and Trump administration insiders warn that Donald Trump could take unprecedented action to interfere in the United States midterm elections or reject the results. As Americans prepare to head to the polls, Four Corners reported that a former CIA boss, a former FBI director, and four senior advisers from Trump’s first administration expressed deep concern over the president’s persistent criticisms of the electoral process.
Federal Immigration Agents and Polling Booth Security
Trump’s Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin has suggested that federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers could be deployed to polling booths if there is a threat or if they need to serve a warrant. Mullin also warned local and state election officials they could face arrest and potential jail time if they failed to comply with administration election demands. Ty Cobb, who served as special counsel in the first Trump White House, called Mullin’s proposal a deliberate attack on democratic processes. Anthony Scaramucci, who served as White House communications director in 2017, fears ICE agents could be deployed during the midterms to intimidate people, noting that a Civil War-era law from 1865 makes it a crime to bring armed personnel to a polling place.
Intelligence Veterans Warn of White House Meddling
Former CIA director John Brennan and former FBI director James Comey, who both sounded the alarm over Russian interference in the 2016 election, say the risk of election meddling is now coming from Trump himself. Brennan stated that in Trump’s America, nothing is off limits, warning that the president is trying to sow doubt in the elections. Comey called the midterms the most important elections of his lifetime due to an out-of-control presidency. Since Trump’s return to power, both Comey and Brennan have been targeted by the Department of Justice, with Comey recently facing criminal charges for a third time.
Republican Concerns Over Electoral Confidence
In the lead-up to the midterms, Trump has accused Democratic rivals of cheating and criticized US elections as corrupt, crooked, and rigged. Marc Short, who served as Trump’s legislative affairs director and chief of staff to then-vice-president Mike Pence, said he is disturbed by the aggressive language and the prospect of federal officers appearing at polling booths. Short stated that undermining faith and confidence in elections is unhealthy. Meanwhile, John Bolton, Trump’s national security adviser from 2018 to 2019, said Trump is laying the groundwork to create a lack of confidence in the outcome.
Congressional Investigations and Financial Revelations
If Democrats win control of the House or Senate, Trump faces potential impeachment proceedings and investigations into his family’s business dealings. Cobb noted that corruption has become a significant issue for voters. In his first year back in office, Trump reaped $US1.4 billion from family cryptocurrency businesses, contributing to a total of $US2.2 billion made in 2025. Luke Ball, a Republican strategist who worked on Trump’s 2024 re-election campaign, defended the business activities, stating the family are entrepreneurs who do not need to cease operations. Democratic congressman Bennie Thompson confirmed that Democrats would likely investigate the financial fortunes of Trump and his family if they win control of Congress.
Common Questions About the Midterm Threats
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What specific actions are intelligence veterans worried Trump might take?
Former CIA director John Brennan expressed concern over what Trump could do in the run-up to the election, on election day, and in the aftermath, as well as rejecting official results. -
What polling data exists regarding public concern over the elections?
A Gallup poll in July found that nearly two in three US adults worried about election officials being pressured by politicians to change results, while a Daily Mail/YouGov poll revealed just over half of respondents feared Trump would refuse to accept the midterm outcome if Democrats win. -
How much financial revenue did the president generate in 2025?
The president made $US2.2 billion in 2025, which included $US1.4 billion from family cryptocurrency businesses.
The Four Corners investigation, titled Endgame, is scheduled to broadcast on Monday, November 2, at 8:30pm on ABC TV and ABC iview.
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