Trump turns to intimidation as his midterms plans fall apart

With two weeks left before the Nov. 3 midterms, President Donald Trump's efforts to shape the outcome in the GOP's favor are largely stalling, and his administration is now leaning on legal threats and intimidation, according to MS NOW host Chris Hayes. The pressure lands on both voters and the officials who run elections.

Hayes lists the earlier efforts that fell short. Mid-decade redistricting by Republican-led states was meant to help in a steady or favorable climate, not a wave, and House Majority Whip Tom Emmer told Axios the party will not win all 13 redrawn seats. Heavy spending, including hundreds of millions of dollars from Elon Musk, has been stretched into Kansas, Nebraska and Wyoming as polls tighten. A promise of $5,000 for every adult if Republicans keep Congress proved unpopular. An executive order aimed at mail-in ballots and the Postal Service has been effectively blocked by courts.

Hayes says the administration has since raided the home of Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, which he reads as an attempt to scare naturalized citizens and voters of color away from the polls. The Justice Department is suing California over noncitizen voting claims and now threatens jail time and predawn raids.

Summarized by PolitiKool from MS NOW’s reporting. Read the full story at MS NOW →