Several high-ranking federal election officials recently attended a summit where prominent figures involved in efforts to overturn Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 election urged him to declare a national emergency to take control of this year’s midterm elections. The meeting, convened by Michael Flynn, Trump’s former national security adviser, featured notable attendees like Kurt Olsen, a White House lawyer assigned to reinvestigate the 2020 election, and Heather Honey, a Department of Homeland Security official responsible for election integrity. Cleta Mitchell, who heads the Election Integrity Network, an organization known for promoting false claims regarding election fraud, was also present.
Experts in the field of election integrity have expressed concerns that the summit indicates a growing effort to persuade Trump to undertake unprecedented measures to influence the upcoming vote. Previous attempts by Trump to reshape election processes through executive orders have been largely thwarted by the courts, and legislation aimed at imposing strict voter ID requirements has stalled in Congress. Reports indicate that activists involved in the summit are circulating a draft executive order aimed at banning mail-in ballots and eliminating voting machines, effectively seeking a federal takeover of election operations.
According to communications and documents reviewed, the summit is part of a broader pattern of coordination between government officials and external activists, which experts say poses a significant risk to the integrity of upcoming elections. Brendan Fischer, a director at the Campaign Legal Center, noted that the participants in this meeting are now more organized and have embedded themselves within government structures, raising alarms about the potential for undermining electoral processes.
In total, five of the six federal officials who attended the summit declined to comment when approached for questions. A White House official, who preferred to remain anonymous, clarified that the officials’ participation should not be interpreted as support for a national emergency declaration. They emphasized that it is common for government staffers to engage with outside advocates to discuss policy ideas.
While Trump has previously shown willingness to consider federal intervention to avert anticipated losses for Republicans, he has recently denied any intention to declare a national emergency. In a recent interview, he stated that Republicans require to “take over” elections and “nationalize the voting,” indicating a readiness to explore aggressive measures to influence electoral outcomes.
During the roundtable discussion held on February 19 in Washington, D.C., which included around 30 participants, Flynn expressed his desire to foster in-person connections among attendees who have previously met only online in various battles across swing states. After the meeting, participants shared a meal, reinforcing the communal aspect of the gathering.
Panel discussions at the event highlighted strategies aimed at transforming American electoral processes to favor conservative perspectives. Attendees reportedly divided into factions, with some advocating for a gradual legal and legislative approach, while others were intent on pushing Trump to declare a national emergency. Activists left the summit with a strong conviction that such a declaration would circumvent constitutional restrictions that designate states as the governing bodies for elections.
Notably, Patrick Byrne, a former Overstock.com CEO and a significant supporter of efforts to contest the 2020 election results, suggested that Trump has thus far been restrained in his approach. He remarked that at some point, Trump would need to take decisive action, potentially through declaring a national emergency.
Among the attendees was Kari Lake, who serves as a senior adviser to the U.S. Agency for Global Media. Lake spoke on the importance of election integrity, framing it as a nonpartisan issue of vital concern to all citizens. She stated that her time at the summit was focused on this critical topic, emphasizing the need for elections to be free from fraud and other forms of malpractice.
As discussions continued among the activists, there was a clear division regarding their strategies, which were later discussed on platforms such as LindellTV, a streaming service created by Mike Lindell. They outlined two primary camps: those advocating for legal reforms and those pushing for more drastic federal interventions.
Will Huff, a campaign manager for a Republican candidate in Arkansas, articulated that the consensus from the summit would be relayed back to Trump. He echoed the sentiment that the situation calls for a national emergency declaration, stating that the president is aware of issues within election infrastructure.
Cybersecurity official Marci McCarthy, who also attended the summit, expressed her gratitude for the camaraderie developed through years of advocacy. She posted about the event on social media, highlighting the ongoing commitment to their shared mission.
this summit marks another chapter in the ongoing interplay between election activists and government officials, as many involved have deep ties to the Election Integrity Network. Just weeks after beginning her role at the Department of Homeland Security, Honey briefed election activists on her work, which experts believe may have breached ethical standards established in previous administrations. As these dynamics unfold, vigilance is necessary to safeguard the integrity of electoral processes.
