Trump tells supporters, ‘Guard the vote.’ Here’s the phrase’s backstory and why it’s raising concern

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Former President Donald Trump has been urging his supporters to “guard the vote” in anticipation of next year’s elections. This phrase has raised concerns among pro-democracy advocates, who believe it may be interpreted as permission to take extreme measures that could intimidate voters and election workers.

The origins of the phrase “guard the vote” can be traced back to 2022 when right-wing activist groups, including one called Guard the Vote in Washington state, began monitoring ballot drop boxes to identify potential fraud. Trump himself started using the phrase during a June event at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, and his former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, has been repeatedly pushing the term as well.

Political messaging experts suggest that the context in which Trump uses this phrase primes his supporters to expect fraud in Democratic-leaning cities and potentially intervene to ensure his victory. This has raised concerns about whether the phrase is meant to safeguard the election against fraud or against an outcome where Trump is not declared the winner.

Trump’s campaign spokesman has clarified that by “guard the vote,” Trump means to prevent instances of voter fraud where it occurs, but the lack of elaboration leaves room for interpretation.

Some individuals, like Victor Mellor, have taken it upon themselves to establish groups under the name “Guard the Vote,” aiming to educate law enforcement and citizens about elections. Mellor insists that his group will operate within the rule of law and without intimidation.

However, the use of militaristic language in Trump’s rhetoric, such as the word “guard,” has raised concerns among experts, who view it as a way to frame politics as warfare and enlist followers into conspiracy theories. Trump’s repeated claims of election fraud before elections have further contributed to this narrative.

Election officials in the cities Trump mentioned, such as Detroit, Philadelphia, and Atlanta, have expressed their commitment to conducting safe and secure elections in 2024 and have stated that they won’t be intimidated by Trump’s rhetoric.

Overall, the phrase “guard the vote” has become a subject of controversy, with some seeing it as a call for vigilance against voter fraud and others interpreting it as a potential invitation to interfere with the electoral process. The debate over its true meaning continues in the lead-up to the next election.

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More about Election Integrity

• The Big Big News – Original Article
• Donald Trump’s Remarks on “Guard the Vote”
• Michael Flynn’s Involvement in Promoting “Guard the Vote”
• Pro-democracy Concerns About “Guard the Vote”
• Response from Election Officials in Cities Mentioned by Trump
• Analysis of Language in Trump’s Rhetoric
• Victor Mellor’s Role in the “Guard the Vote” Movement