National Guard posts in front of D.C. ballot boxes

Washington, D.C. National Guard troops now stand in front of ballot drop-off locations in the capital, according to new videos. President Donald Trump issued a permanent posting order for these units. The placement is currently considered illegal.

The presence of the troops raises questions about whether the deployment will expand beyond D.C. Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth have already placed Guard units in various areas. In other instances, they have threatened to send troops to blue and purple states. These locations are often majority-minority districts.

The military presence is one part of a larger strategy for the November 3, 2026 midterm elections. A new series from the publication Proof details 100 schemes attributed to Trump and his allies to influence the outcome. This segment covers items 23 through 33.

Among the listed strategies is a promised October surprise. Trump said this event would help Republicans win the election. He attributed the plan to Office of Management and Budget chief Russ Vought. Vought co-authored the political manifesto known as Project 2025.

Trump has recently described his surprise as involving two big monsters. He claimed they will become the biggest stars in America within a week. The president stated he was advised not to speak publicly about the specifics because the move is so controversial.

Uncertainty has grown among voters and officials. Trump’s former deputy director of the FBI has warned listeners to stockpile supplies. The Pentagon recently announced an operation called Fortress America. This plan focuses on making military bases self-sufficient in energy and food.

Polls for the 2026 midterms remain difficult to interpret. Fewer Americans have landlines, and many do not answer unsolicited texts or calls. The rise in independent voters adds to the statistical challenge. The general consensus among pollsters is that no one knows the exact outcome.

Regardless of the final results, the cataloging of election interference efforts continues. The goal is to document the specific actions taken by the Republican Party before, during, and after the election. This record is intended for current voters and for future historians analyzing the era.