Let's talk about Trump's troops at polling stations....

0:00Well, howdy there, Internet people. It's Belle again. So today, we're going to talk about Trump's armed forces at polling stations. General Dan Cain, who is chairman of the Joint Chiefs of SAF, and the country's highest-ranking military officer, sent a letter to Senator Alyssa Slotkin of Michigan after she asked about any plans to use the military at polling stations during the midterms. First, I would like it noted what the letter from the chair of the Joint Chiefs says. Quote, Election administration and security remain the fundamental responsibility of state and local officials. The states run elections. This isn't some hidden knowledge. It's the way the country was set up. The president doesn't have a role in it. Period. His letter goes on. The Joint Force has no plans to send federal military personnel or federalized members of the National Guard

1:07to polling places during the 2026 elections. Likewise, the Joint Force has no plans to use such personnel to seize ballots, voting machines, or other election-related material. He went on to write, quote, I have neither received nor anticipate receiving any unlawful order concerning the role of the Joint Force in the upcoming November 2026 midterm elections. Unlawful order. Filed that part away. Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Mark Wayne Mullin spoke to reporters and address concerns about ICE being at polling stations. He said, quote, ICE isn't there to patrol the polling places. We're there to enforce specific threats. Enforce threats? Yeah. That's actually what people are worried about there, Mark Wayne.

2:10But let's just assume he must spoke there because he went on to say, quote, the only reason why we would be at polling places is if there is a threat to that polling place, or we're serving a warrant on someone that we've been actively tracking down. Some are saying this is preemptive excuse-making. At the same time, it also sounds like the normal rhetoric from the administration that always likes to push back, and pretend they can do whatever they want. We got the question. Bell, don't you think DHS guy saying what he said about protecting from threats is just them saying that, and then they call in a threat. Then they can be there. Not really. That's one step too many. If someone threatens a polling station with a device or something, the polling station is closed.

3:10Look, I don't put a pass trump to order something stupid. But I also don't think it would be effective. In fact, I think it would be counterproductive. Putting masked men outside might sway voters away from the Republican Party. But I also want to remind everybody of something we've talked about in the past. The chair of the Joint Chiefs said it would be an unlawful order. Here's the law. USC 18 Section 592. Troops at polls. Quote. Whoever being an officer of the Army or Navy or other person in the Civil Military or Naval Service of the United States orders, brings, keeps, or has under his authority or control. Any troops or armed men at any place where a general or special election is held unless such force be necessary to repel armed enemies of the United States.

4:14Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years or both and be disqualified from holding any office of honor, profit, or trust under the United States. This section shall not prevent any officer or member of the armed forces of the United States from exercising the right of suffrage in any election district to which he may belong. If otherwise qualified, according to the laws of the state in which he offers to vote. Did you catch that? Civil and troops or armed men. I can't be there. There are state laws that serve the same purpose. Why? Because election administration and security remain the fundamental responsibility of state and local officials. DOD said no. DHS said no, but we want to keep our options open.

5:18Either way, voter intimidation only works if you let it. Anyway, it's just a thought. We all have a good day.