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◆ Mixed look for ThuneVoting Rights

Senate GOP Leader John Thune says he disagrees with Trump that Congress should 'nationalize' elections

Thune said he opposes federalizing elections and favors keeping election administration decentralized.

Senate GOP Leader John Thune says he disagrees with Trump that Congress should 'nationalize' elections
Image · NBC News

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This article1 analysis · Oct 10, 2026
NBC News
Feb 3, 2026
tl;dr

Senate Majority Leader John Thune said he opposes President Donald Trump’s call to “nationalize” elections, arguing that decentralized state-run systems have worked well. Trump continued to press for federal involvement, while other Republicans and Democrats offered differing responses.

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John Thune R · SD · SEN

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John Thune
R · SD · SEN

Senate Majority Leader opposing federal control of elections

PRIMARY SUBJECT
Donald Trump
R · President of the United States

President calling for federal control of elections

Trump's version of this story ↗
Mike Johnson
R · LA-4

House Speaker discussing election administration and the SAVE Act

John Barrasso
R · WY · SEN

Senator present with Trump at the Oval Office

Tom Cole
R · OK-4

Representative present with Trump at the Oval Office

Chuck Schumer
D · NY · SEN

Senate Minority Leader criticizing Trump’s remarks

Katie Boyd Britt
R · AL · SEN

Senator present with Trump at the Oval Office

Georgia representative criticizing Trump’s remarks and the FBI search

Steve Womack
R · AR-3

Representative present with Trump at the Oval Office

ALSO MENTIONED  Abigail Jackson, White House spokesperson responding to Thune’s remarks; Gabriel Sterling, Republican candidate for Georgia secretary of state opposing federal control of elections

Part of a bigger story

2 OUTLETS
John Thune Says Elections Should Remain Decentralized

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