Their Game Is Afoot -- Tom Sullivan

[erronis]

https://digbysblog.net/2026/04/14/their-game-is-afoot/

Remain vigilant

ProPublica identified at least 75 people across multiple government agencies who worked to safeguard the 2020 election results against Donald Trump's "stolen election" narrative:

The people we identified as resisting attempts to overturn the 2020 results have been replaced by roughly two dozen people Trump has installed in positions that could affect elections. Ten of them actively worked to reverse the 2020 vote, and the rest are associates of such people. In some cases, ProPublica found, officials have been hired from activist groups that are pillars of the election denial movement. Experts warn that shows the movement has merged with the federal government.

These new officials could influence how Trump reacts to the upcoming midterms as polling shows Republicans are approaching what could be a significant electoral loss, with the president's approval rating nearing record lows, and public concern growing about the weak economy, the administration's mass deportation effort and the war on Iran. Seemingly in preparation to head off such a blow, Trump has stepped up his efforts to "nationalize" the 2026 elections, saying that Republicans need "to take over" the midterms. Democrats who monitored Trump's attempts to block his 2020 loss have begun to question whether he will allow a "blue wave," particularly if it flips control of a House of Representatives that impeached him twice in his first term.

ProPublica's examination reveals new details on how the president has unleashed his loyalists to transform elections. This includes the background of this year's FBI raid in Georgia to seize 2020 election materials and how they are using federal resources to search for noncitizens voting. Ultimately, ProPublica's reporting shows how thoroughly and expansively the Trump administration has overhauled the federal government into what some fear is a vehicle for making sure elections go his way.

We are heading into cornered animal territory. Don't think otherwise.

Experts say 2026 will serve as an unprecedented stress test of the integrity of American elections.

"Our election system withstood" Trump's "attacks following the 2020 election," said Sen. Alex Padilla, a California Democrat who has led the pushback to the administration's actions on elections, "but this will be an even tougher test, with more election deniers having access to federal power than ever before."

Treat this as real. Be vigilant. Attend regular meetings at your local Board of Elections to keep an eye on possible subterfuge.

ProPublica isn't the only outlet keeping watch. Here are a couple from Democracy Docket:

Election-denying GOP lawmaker, anti-voting group target New York's voter registration system

Election deniers in Trump admin pushing 'more powerful tool' to probe voter rolls, report finds

[Eko]

1. K&R

[pecosbob]

2. Mating season for rats...

[malaise]

3. Important

K & R

[Cherrycheeks]

4. Kick..