Schumer Launches Free and Fair Elections Task Force as Trump Attacks Democrats

Partisan tensions over the midterm elections are intensifying in Washington, with both Republicans and Democrats accusing each other of trying to influence the November outcome.

Republicans aim to retain their majorities in the House and Senate. Democrats seek to capitalize on slow legislating, internal Republican disputes and higher costs to gain control of one or both chambers.

President Donald Trump has accused Democrats of election interference well ahead of Election Day.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Senate Democrats launched a "free and fair elections task force" that includes former Attorney General Eric Holder and attorney Marc Elias. Trump called Elias "a terrible lawyer with a horrible track record."

"The Democrats are totally unhinged, and we will not allow them to threaten the integrity of our Elections," Trump said on Truth Social.

"Palestinian Chuck Schumer is hiring Eric Holder, famous for handing guns to Mexican cartels under the Barack Hussein Obama administration, as part of a Democrat-led ‘Election Integrity Group’ that will no doubt try to suppress Republican voters, and interfere in our Elections," Trump added on Truth Social.

The task force debuted as Republicans face difficulties advancing voter ID and citizenship verification bills. It also follows a Supreme Court decision on redistricting expected to intensify battles over district maps nationwide.

Republicans failed to attach the SAVE America Act to a party-line funding package.

"Donald Trump and the Republicans realize that if the election were held fairly, that the likelihood is that they would lose, and we would win, that we would take back the House, take back the Senate," Schumer said.

"So they are doing all kinds of nefarious things, some of them legal, some of them not so legal, to try and overturn a fair result in an election," he added.

Schumer said the task force will address "election threats," such as actions by the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security, attacks on the First Amendment, foreign interference and militarization of law enforcement at polls.

Trump responded that Republicans formed an "Election Integrity Army in every single State" during the 2024 cycle to protect legal votes.

"We will be doing the same again in 2026, but it will be much bigger and stronger," Trump said. "All Americans should have their voices be heard by casting a vote. Be assured this Election will be fair!"

Democrats created the task force to counter what they call a comprehensive effort by Trump and Republicans to undermine the election, especially through the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act.

Trump has urged Republicans to pass the SAVE America Act, which would impose federal voter ID requirements, mandate proof of citizenship for voter registration and share voter roll data with the Department of Homeland Security. Democrats argue it would disenfranchise millions of voters.

Republicans lack unity on the bill. A version pushed by Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., failed last month when four Republicans joined Democrats to block it.

Trump has also pushed to nationalize elections. DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin did not rule out deploying federal immigration agents to polling places during his earlier confirmation hearing.

Democrats say these moves amount to a plan to sway the upcoming elections.