Trump Supporters Circulate Draft Executive Order Alleging Chinese Interference in 2020 Election
Activists backing Donald Trump claim they are working with White House officials to circulate a draft executive order that alleges Chinese interference in the 2020 presidential election. The proposed measure argues such interference could justify declaring a national emergency.
The draft order reportedly includes restrictions on mailed ballots and voting machines, which supporters assert might be exploited for foreign influence.
Trump has repeatedly called for stronger voter identification requirements and tighter controls over mail-in voting ahead of upcoming elections. He has also pushed Congress to enact legislation mandating proof of citizenship for voter registration and a uniform photo ID standard for ballot casting. The House has approved such measures, but they face an uncertain path in the Senate.
According to sources, activists behind the draft believe it could serve as part of broader executive action if Congress fails to advance similar legislation.
The White House declined to detail specific plans but stated President Trump regularly receives policy proposals from outside advocates. A spokesperson, Abigail Jackson, said: “President Trump is committed to ensuring Americans have full confidence in the administration of elections, and that includes totally accurate and up-to-date voter rolls free of errors and unlawfully registered non-citizen voters.”
Jackson added: “The President has urged Congress to pass the SAVE Act and other legislative proposals that would establish a uniform photo ID standard for voting, prohibit no-excuse mail-in voting, and end ballot harvesting.”
Peter Ticktin, a Florida lawyer who supports the draft, told sources: “Under the Constitution, it’s the legislatures and states that really control how a state conducts elections, and the president doesn’t have any power to do that. But here we have a situation where the president is aware of foreign interests interfering in our election processes—which causes a national emergency where the president has to be able to deal with it.”
Legal experts note that Article 1, Section 4 of the Constitution assigns responsibility for regulating elections to states and Congress. Any attempt by executive order to impose sweeping federal changes would likely face immediate judicial challenges.
A 2021 U.S. intelligence review concluded that while China considered efforts to influence the 2020 election, it did not carry them out. Nevertheless, Trump has continued to question the results of the 2020 contest and suggested further action may be necessary to restore public confidence in the electoral system.
“The White House staff is regularly in communication with outside advocates who present policy ideas to the President,” a spokesperson said. “Any speculation about policies the President may announce remains just that—speculation.”
