Trump officials sought ways to sidestep election agency before firings, sources say

Trump officials spent months exploring methods to circumvent a federal election agency's protocols and leverage emergency powers to mandate voting machine alterations, according to four sources. This maneuver preceded the abrupt dismissal of the agency's leadership by President Donald Trump. The move underscores a contentious push to control election infrastructure, raising concerns about potential interference in the electoral process and the integrity of future elections. The implications extend beyond immediate political maneuvering, hinting at broader questions about administrative autonomy and the integrity of democratic processes.