1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

Public Opposition to Martial Law or Any Military Interference in the 2026 Elections I am writing as your constituent to ask you to state publicly, before November 3, that you oppose any attempt to use martial law, a national emergency declaration, or military force to disrupt the 2026 midterm elections or overturn their results. This request is not hypothetical. On September 23, The Atlantic reported that outside allies of President Trump are urging him to seize control of this fall's federal elections. Peter Ticktin, a longtime Trump attorney and military-school classmate, told the magazine that one outcome he foresees is a declaration of martial law on or around Election Day. His words were "Either martial law, or step aside." When reporters asked about the risk of unrest, he said the armed forces are "a lot bigger than they are." Commentator Wayne Allyn Root has separately urged a national security emergency declaration to change election rules. When Root pressed the idea in August, the President did not reject it. He replied, "Stranger things have happened." These statements come alongside a broader pattern. The Department of Justice has sued 30 states and the District of Columbia for sensitive voter data and has lost case after case in federal court, before judges appointed by presidents of both parties. The President has also said he regrets not sending the military to seize voting machines after the 2020 election. The law is clear. The Constitution gives states authority over the times, places, and manner of congressional elections, with Congress alone holding power to alter those rules. Federal law prohibits stationing troops at polling places. No emergency statute grants a president control over elections. Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed in writing that the military has no plans to deploy to polling places or seize election materials. Secretary Hegseth has not provided the same assurance. I ask you to take three actions: 1 Issue a public statement opposing martial law, emergency declarations, or military deployment intended to interfere with voting, counting, or certification. 2 Support oversight hearings examining whether outside actors advocating martial law are coordinating with any federal official, agency, or campaign to interfere with the election. 3 Press Secretary Hegseth to provide the same written commitment General Caine has already made. Upholding the results of a free election is not a partisan position. It is the oath every member of Congress takes. Iowans deserve to know, before they vote, where you stand. I look forward to your response.