A group of about ten current and former U.S. national security officials has been advising state governments and congressional lawmakers on how to prepare for potential interference by the Trump administration.
Posted by Deadline: White House, Checked
- Sources
- 3 support5 context
- Said
- 1 time·
- Confidence
- 70%
Deadline: White HouseOct 20, 2026
Multiple outlets, including the Washington Post original report from 2026-10-20 and later syndications and follow-ups, report that about ten current and former U.S. national security officials have been discreetly advising state governments and congressional lawmakers on preparing for possible Trump administration interference in the midterms.
This claim is about the present, so it is judged as of the day it was checked.
What was said
… The fact that it was made in the first place shows how emboldened Trump is in his efforts to undermine our democracy. Worries that Trump will interfere in this year's midterms are so sizable that The Washington Post reports this, quote, "A small group of U.S. National security officials has been discreetly advising state governments and congressional lawmakers on how to prepare for the possibility that the Trump administration will attempt to interfere." The group includes about ten current and former officials with experience in the Defense Department, some of whom previously focused on countering authoritarianism abroad. …
Deadline: White House · · from the transcriptPost →What we found
Supports. The Washington Post reported on 2026-10-20 that a small group of U.S. national security officials has been discreetly advising state governments and congressional lawmakers on preparing for possible Trump administration interference in November's midterms.[1]
Supports. The Post report says the group includes about 10 current and former officials with Defense Department experience, some previously focused on countering authoritarianism abroad, and that it consulted officials from 10 states and lawmakers from both parties.[1][3]
Supports. Politico's newsletter repeats the group's composition and advisory role, and reports that the White House spokesperson dismissed the group's concerns without disputing that the group exists.[2]
Context. The Raw Story, Detroit News, Stateline, Firstpost and The Nation pieces all repeat the Post's account, so they add little independent corroboration beyond the original reporting based on anonymous participants.[3][4][5][7][8]
Context. The claim's wording matches the Post's account; no source contradicts the group's existence, its size, or its advisory role as of 2026-10-20.[1][6]
Sources
8 sources: 4 tier 2, 3 not rated, 1 tier 3
- 1U.S. officials privately advise states fearing Trump election meddlingwashingtonpost.com · tier 2 · cited for: supports, context
- 2When Trump says nothing at allpolitico.com · tier 2 · cited for: supports
- 3US officials privately advise states fearing Trump election meddlingdetroitnews.com · not rated · cited for: supports, context
- 4What Are Democrats Prepared to Do if Trump Rigs the Election?thenation.com · tier 2 · cited for: context
- 5Secret Pentagon network risks retaliation to help states prep for nightmare Trump scenariorawstory.com · tier 3 · cited for: context
- 6How Donald Trump and his allies are sowing doubt ahead of the midtermsnytimes.com · tier 2 · cited for: context
- 7Election officials brace for federal interference but expect to ...stateline.org · not rated · cited for: context
- 8Fearing violence, US officials privately advise states to ...firstpost.com · not rated · cited for: context
Where this claim was made
Said in 1 published post
Related claims
- Donald Trump has attempted to interfere in states' elections.True
- A task force in the Senate, consisting of at least eleven Democratic offices, staff, outside litigators, and good governance groups, is working to respond to threats to the election process.True
- The Department of Justice under Donald Trump has sent threatening letters to at least 30 top election officials in the states warning them they are under investigation.True
- Some state authorities have stopped sharing information with CISA due to a lack of trust in the Trump administration.True
- The Justice Department is discussing contingency plans to potentially intervene in the 2026 midterm elections.True