At recent rallies in Iowa, former President Donald Trump urged his followers to “stay in those voting books” for the 2024 elections. His speeches also included calls for his supporters to “guard the vote.” This is part of his continued speculation about election integrity.
Urging Vigilance in Mason City
On January 5, Trump urged his audience to be mindful of any signs of fraudulent voting at the booths in Mason City, Iowa. He told them to be wary of “bags of cr*p” and as potential signs of foul play. He then told his supporters to remain in voting booths to ensure that the election process was fair.
Reiterating Election Concerns
Trump has repeatedly made claims about the 2020 election being fraudulent despite not providing any evidence to show this. He called for “fair treatment” in the upcoming elections, claiming that “2024 is our final battle.” He then continued to stress that his supporters need to watch out for anything that seems odd during the election process
A Call to “Stay and Watch”
The former President again repeated the idea of a corrupt voting system, telling his followers, “We’re not going to let it happen again.” He also said, “You should all stay in those voting booths. You should stay there and watch it. If you see bags of cr*p coming into the voting areas, you’ve got to stop it. You can’t let it happen because these guys are crooked as hell. They know how to cheat.”
Expanding Surveillance to Key Cities
Trump warned his voters to pay attention to other states. He said, “You should go into Detroit, and you should go into Philadelphia, and you should go into some of these places, Atlanta, and you should go into some of these places, and we’ve got to watch those votes when they come in.” Each of these states is traditionally a Democratic stronghold.
The Controversy of Trump’s Speeches
Many people criticized Trump’s recent remarks. Some of the critics accused him of voter intimidation and said he was undermining the democratic process. Others argued that he was brainwashing his supporters and was trying to make them doubt the election before they have even begun.
Experts Speak
Susan Benesch is the leader of the Dangerous Speech Project, a research group. She spoke about Trump’s comments and the suggestion that the election is “foregone.” Benesch asked, “Is it actually guarding the election against fraud, or is it guarding the election against a result in which Trump is not declared the winner?”
The Consequences of Election Interference
Other legal experts, including Bradley P. Moss, have shared their thoughts on the situation. Moss focused on the legal consequences of obstructing the voting process. He said, “I mean if voters want to get arrested for obstructing others’ ability to cast a ballot, sure, do that. I wouldn’t recommend it. This sounds like voter intimidation.”
Legal and Political Analysts Respond
NBC legal analyst Joyce Alene shared a similar view. She wrote, “Trump is preparing to claim the 2024 election was stolen from him when he loses.” Brian Klaas, a professor of Global Politics, described Trump’s comments as “deranged lies that will be used as a pretext to try to seize power if he loses again.”
Encouraging Voter Participation
Despite the controversy, Trump has also made other calls for people to vote. He said, “Don’t stay home, just please. The polls are showing we’re going to win by a lot. The worst thing you can do is say, ‘Let’s just stay home, Alice. Let’s watch it on television.’ We don’t want to do that. You gotta get out because the more we win by — we’re shooting for November because we want to send a message.”
Trump’s Other Comments
Trump also made other pleas to his voters, saying, “Let’s finish strong so we can wrap up this nomination quickly.” In another appearance, he said, “Pretend you’re one point down. You’re one point down. […] You have to get out, and you have to vote, vote, vote.” He also said, “We can’t be beaten.”
Trump’s New Year’s Message
In his New Year’s message, Trump again repeated his claims of election fraud. He spoke about “Crooked Joe Biden and his group of Radical Left Misfits & Thugs” and “their never ending attempt to DESTROY OUR NATION through Lawfare, Invasion, and Rigging Elections.” He claimed they were “illegally allowing” migrants to enter America to vote.
Other Respondents
Similarly, Eliot Wilson, who used to be a clerk for the British House of Commons, said, “Trump, because he’s not especially sharp, can’t help but act in a way that is really obvious and transparent. But the cultists don’t care.” Trygve Olson from the Lincoln Project said, “If he wins the Electoral College but loses the popular vote, [Trump will] use this to immediately implement the insurrection act and declare martial law.”
Election Violence Risks in 2024
Many people are concerned about election-related violence this year, especially after the events of 2020. There are fears that figures like Trump will encourage violence once again. However, the 2022 midterm elections passed without any significant violence. This was due to major changes in law enforcement improvements and the absence of controversial figures like Trump.
Reduced Election Violence
Additionally, many Republican leaders and conservative media outlets previously supported amplified election fraud claims. However, they have become more critical of Trump. This comes after numerous electoral losses, which they blamed on his endorsements. Some political analysts argue this is another reason for the lack of violence during the 2022 midterms.
Efforts to Ensure a Secure 2024 Election
In response to Trump’s claims about election security and integrity, organizations like the Brennan Center for Justice have made efforts “to protect and strengthen our democracy in 2024. These efforts include helping every American to cast their vote in a secure and fair environment, stopping gerrymandering, and strengthening courts.”
The Brennan Center’s Efforts
In a statement, the Brennan Center said, “This upcoming election year requires us not only to ensure free and fair elections but to guarantee nothing like January 6 can happen again. That demands legal accountability, of course. […] We must strengthen guardrails, too. […] And we must confidently advance a compelling plan for how to fortify American democracy.”
Trump’s Campaign Strategy for 2024
Part of Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign includes a huge increase in federal government authority. He suggested using the Insurrection Act of 1807 to deploy military forces domestically and ordering the Department of Justice to target his rivals. He has also supported using the Jacksonian spoils system to ensure all elected officials support him.
Other Policies
Some of Trump’s other policies include a hardline stance against immigration and support for less American involvement in foreign countries as part of the “America First” agenda. He has indicated he would repeal the Affordable Care Act, and Trump has repeatedly opposed climate change mitigation efforts.
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