Trump reportedly open to deal on DHS funding as shutdown sees ICE agents deployed to US airports – US politics live

Steve Bannon, the former White House strategist and podcaster, has suggested that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) deployments at airports should serve as a "test run" for stationing ICE agents at polling places during the 2026 midterm elections. Bannon argued that ICE presence at polls would prevent illegal immigrants from voting, framing it as a safeguard for American citizens' electoral integrity. The remarks indicate a potential expansion of ICE's role beyond immigration enforcement into election administration, a move that would represent a significant shift in how federal immigration agents are deployed during voting periods. Election security experts have long cautioned that armed immigration enforcement at polling places could deter eligible voters, including citizens, from casting ballots and raise constitutional concerns. The proposal reflects broader Trump administration discussions about election security measures ahead of this year's midterm cycle.