ICE officers at airports a ‘test run’ for midterms, Steve Bannon suggests – US politics live

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Former White House strategist Steve Bannon says ICE agents astatine airports is 'test run' for polling position rollout

Hello and invited to nan US politics unrecorded blog.

The erstwhile White House strategist and podcaster Steve Bannon has suggested nan beingness of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers astatine airports is simply a “test run” for utilizing them astatine polling stations successful nan midterms later this year.

Speaking to blimpish lawyer Mike Davis connected his ‘War Room’ podcast, Bannon asked:

double quotation markWe tin usage what’s happening pinch these ICE [officers] helping retired astatine nan airports, we tin usage this arsenic a trial run, arsenic a trial lawsuit to really cleanable ICE’s engagement successful nan 2026 midterm elections, sir?

Davis replied:

double quotation markYeah, I deliberation we should person ICE agents astatine nan polling places, because if you’re an forbidden alien you can’t vote, right? It’s against nan law, it’s a national crime for you to ballot successful national elections.

And so, if you’re an American citizen, you should beryllium happy that ICE is there, because you’re not going to person forbidden aliens canceling retired your vote.

“Pick ‘em retired of statement starting today, and possibly nan lines will get shorter,” Bannon added, arsenic reported past nighttime by The Hill.

Steve Bannon speaks during nan Semafor World Economy Summit 2025 astatine Conrad Washington connected April 23, 2025 successful Washington, DC. Photograph: Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images

Security lines stretched for hours connected Monday astatine US airports wherever unpaid Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) screening agents refused to study for work and ICE agents deployed by Donald Trump were reportedly seen successful a twelve cities.

ICE agents were seen astatine airports specified arsenic Atlanta, Newark, New Orleans and New York’s John F Kennedy. CNN reported 9 different airports wherever ICE agents were seen.

In different developments:

• The US Senate confirmed Markwayne Mullin to service arsenic caput of nan Department of Homeland Security, elevating nan Republican legislator to a domiciled wherever he will beryllium among nan nationalist faces of Donald Trump’s crackdown connected undocumented immigrants. The Republican controlled enclosure confirmed Mullin mostly on statement lines, pinch a ballot of 54-45. More here.

• Donald Trump has claimed location person been talks betwixt nan US and Iran complete nan past time successful which nan 2 sides had “major points of agreement”, appearing to avert a perchance terrible escalation of nan conflict. Tehran has denied nan claim, successful which Trump besides speculated that a woody could soon beryllium done to extremity nan war. Iran’s overseas ministry spokesperson said nary talks had been held pinch nan US since nan bombing run began 24 days ago. More here.

• The US ultimate tribunal appeared poised to curtail really mail-in ballots tin beryllium counted if they get aft predetermination day, which would impact laws successful much than a twelve states during a midterm predetermination year. The justices are considering Watson v Republican National Committee, a situation complete a Mississippi authorities rule that was brought successful 2024 by nan Republican party. More here.

• California lawyer wide Rob Bonta said he has sued nan US power section to extremity it from utilizing a cold-war era rule to restart nan long-disputed Sable Offshore pipeline strategy linking nan Santa Ynez offshore level to California refineries. US power caput Chris Wright earlier this period restarted nan pipelines utilizing powers granted to him by Donald Trump done an executive bid that invoked nan Defense Production Act to supersede authorities laws. More here.

• Prediction markets are facing caller bipartisan scrutiny successful nan US Senate arsenic companies specified arsenic Kalshi and Polymarket proceed to battle state-led efforts to modulate online betting. A measure was introduced successful nan US Senate connected Monday that would prohibition federally regulated platforms from allowing wagers connected sporting events, what would beryllium a immense rustle to marketplaces wherever billions of dollars person been traded connected awesome events for illustration nan Super Bowl and nan NCAA’s March Madness. More here.