URGENT UPDATE: Pro-Trump activists are pushing for President Donald Trump to declare a national emergency over claims of Chinese interference in the 2020 presidential election. A 17-page draft executive order, revealed by the Washington Post on February 26, 2026, could grant Trump sweeping powers to change voting rules nationwide ahead of the November midterms.
The document, circulated by activists reportedly coordinating with the White House, cites unproven allegations of foreign interference. If enacted, it would allow Trump to ban mail-in ballots and electronic voting machines, mandating hand-counted ballots instead. These claims have been firmly rejected by the intelligence community, which found no evidence of such interference.
The primary author of the draft, Florida attorney Peter Ticktin, disclosed ongoing coordination with White House officials but withheld names for safety reasons. He is linked to Tina Peters, a former Colorado county clerk pardoned by Trump, and has collaborated with controversial figures like conspiracy theorist Jerome Corsi.
Corsi, who previously circulated an early version of the draft, stated, “If there was a provable foreign intrusion, that would be a national security emergency.” Sources indicate that Trump has reviewed several versions of this proposal, which could redefine executive power over election integrity.
Ticktin also noted discussions with former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn and other prominent figures pushing to overturn the 2020 results. He emphasized the need for hand-counted ballots, declaring, “Get rid of the machines. That’s what we need to do right away.”
Despite the urgency of the proposal, legal experts highlight significant constitutional hurdles. Ticktin acknowledged that state legislatures control election conduct, asserting that an emergency declaration could supersede this authority. The draft’s main claim of interference by China contradicts the Intelligence Community Assessment released in March 2021, which stated, “China did not deploy interference efforts” aimed at changing the election outcome.
Amidst this backdrop, Trump’s support for the SAVE America Act is faltering in the Senate. The bill passed the House with a narrow margin but faces strong Democratic opposition. Trump has indicated he may take unilateral action, tweeting, “There will be Voter I.D. for the Midterm Elections, whether approved by Congress or not!”
The political climate is charged, with Trump allies like Steve Bannon claiming foreign powers played a role in his electoral defeat. House Democrats have condemned the draft order, arguing it is based on “debunked claims of Chinese interference.”
As this situation develops, the implications of any such emergency declaration could set a precedent for executive power in the U.S. electoral process. Legal experts and lawmakers are closely monitoring how courts may respond if Trump acts on this order, potentially defining the future of American democracy.
Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds.
