DOJ quietly scraps ‘command center’ that would help monitor 2026 election integrity, report says

In a move alarming current and former federal prosecutors, the Department of Justice has quietly scrapped its dedicated 'election integrity command center' and canceled crucial training sessions for field agents and prosecutors just five months ahead of the contentious 2026 midterm elections. This significant operational rollback comes as former President Donald Trump escalates his unsubstantiated claims of widespread 'cheating' and 'rigging' in recent primaries, fueling concerns over the federal government's commitment to election oversight. The reported inaction extends beyond the command center, with the DOJ also deleting a 281-page guide for prosecuting election offenses, largely firing attorneys from its Public Integrity Section, and failing to replace the director of its Election Crimes Branch. These steps have triggered a sharp rebuke from Senate Democrats, who have formally demanded answers from Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, warning against partisan interference and the undermining of public trust in the electoral process. Critics fear the dismantled infrastructure could leave federal authorities ill-equipped to handle emergent threats like voter intimidation and targeted disinformation campaigns. As the November midterms draw closer, the absence of a unified federal response raises critical questions about how the DOJ will manage potential election-related crises, particularly given the administration's stated shift towards 'voter integrity' investigations often focused on debunked claims from previous cycles. Stakeholders will be closely watching whether the department's assurances of appointing district election officers can compensate for the systemic dismantling of its traditional election protection mechanisms, potentially leaving the electoral process vulnerable to partisan challenges and real threats.