FBI stays mum on 'election executive' position when pressed on when it was created

Andrew Bailey, U.S. Deputy Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), stands outside the Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center Union City, Georgia, U.S. January 28, 2026. REUTERS/Elijah Nouvelage

President Trump summoned state officials from across the United States for an unusual meeting on “preparations” for the 2026 midterm elections — with Kellie Hardiman, whose responsibilities have not been specified beyond her title as “FBI Election Executive.”

In the planned FBI conference call, election officials from all 50 states will discuss the upcoming midterm elections alongside several other federal agencies. Because Trump has recently suggested putting state elections under federal control to avoid getting impeached by a Democrat-controlled House of Representatives, officials are anxious Trump’s meeting is an attempt to do exactly that.

Matt Berg of Crooked Media, who reached out to the Trump White House for comment on the story, reported on Twitter that he asked the FBI when was the job created and what is the exact nature of the job responsibilities. The White House had previously indicated that the FBI Election Executive role is not a new position

“We don’t have anything additional to provide at this time,” the White House said in response. On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the White House’s efforts are justified because there is “horrible corruption on elections — and the federal government should not allow that. The federal government should get involved.”

Experts overwhelmingly agree that Trump’s attempts to nationalize elections are both factually baseless and unconstitutional. MS NOW's Ryan Teague Beckwith wrote in a Thursday essay that because most of the preparations for the voting process have already occurred and behind the scenes, any sudden attempts at changes from the federal government will likely be shot down in court.

Similarly, MS NOW's Steve Benen pointed out that Trump's attempt to nationalize voting is a "power grab."

"The president has long struggled with the basics of constitutional law, his oath of office notwithstanding," Benen argues. "But Republicans can't legally 'nationalize the voting.' The U.S. Constitution, which Trump swore to uphold, delegates power to the states to conduct elections. His bonkers conspiracy theories have been thoroughly discredited, but even if they were rooted in fact, GOP officials couldn't simply launch an electoral power grab at will."

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