September 2, 2025

There is a crucial fault line within the pro-democracy coalition that may determine the fate of free and fair elections. Which side you fall on is answered by a single question: If tomorrow Donald Trump declared that federal forces under his control — including the military — would take over administering the 2026 elections, would you be surprised?

Some insist this is an unhelpful conspiracy theory. Others are preparing for it as a real possibility. I am firmly in the second camp.

This debate is not the same as the now-settled question of whether it is better to fight Trump or find areas of agreement. That argument ended when it became clear to those urging compromise that there is no middle ground between an arsonist and a firefighter.

Yet even within the camp that wants to vigorously oppose Trump, there are voices insisting our elections are safe and that raising alarms about threats to them is counterproductive. I understand their concerns, but I disagree...