Trump pushes for, and may get, authority to dispatch Secret Service to polling stations

[Soph0571]

Trump, who still insists--without any evidence whatsoever-- that over 3 million undocumented immigrants voted in the last election, has demanded something truly authoritarian and frightening. As one Secretary of State put it, this is “worthy of a Third World country”:

President Trump would be able to dispatch Secret Service agents to polling places nationwide during a federal election, a vast expansion of executive authority, if a provision in a Homeland Security reauthorization bill remains intact.

This was a rider that the House GOP snuck into the bill and passed—presumably at the request of #DementiaDonnie. Elections officials are none too happy about this. There is not only no basis for this new authority, but, as the Secretary of State from Massachusetts put it, he is rightfully worried that Trump will use it to have “federal agents showing up in largely Hispanic areas”.

Under current law, Secret Service can protect the president and federal officials while voting, but cannot provide law enforcement. The rider to the bill, according to the Secret Service, is innocuous and will only add “clarifying language” to their role.

However, a bipartisan coalition of 19 secretaries of state and elections commissioners don’t see it that way, and have written a letter to Senate leaders demanding that it be taken out of the bill.

[link:https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/3/11/1748128/-Trump-pushes-for-and-may-get-authority-to-dispatch-Secret-Service-to-polling-stations|

[Vinca]

1. Agent Mike will enjoy the baked goods the locals bring to our polling station.

This is one of Dear Leaders dumber proposals, but I suppose we should be grateful he's still allowing us to vote. Russia will probably count the votes, but the façade is still in place.

[Frustratedlady]

2. And, who is going to pay for this? Where's he going to get that many SS to cover all the precincts?

He is such a dork.

Has there been any decision he has made with thought and common sense? Also, I think all these bills should be held up until both sides have been able to read them thoroughly. The Republicans are good at sticking in some of their orneriness to sneak them past the Democrats.