Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin said Saturday that the party is bracing for every possible scenario as the midterms approach, accusing President Trump of trying to cling to power by any means necessary.
Appearing on MSNBC's "The Weekend," Martin acknowledged favorable polling for Democrats but urged supporters to disregard it. "Ignore all the polling, because what we're going to see over these last several months left is someone trying to hold on to power at all costs," he said. "Meaning we don't even know what to expect. We're planning for everything at this moment, and trust me it's quite extensive."
The DNC has already taken legal action, suing the Trump administration in March after the White House refused to rule out deploying federal immigration agents to polling sites this November. Democrats have also criticized the president's moves to restrict mail-in ballots and request voting records, viewing them as part of a broader effort to suppress turnout.
Martin also addressed the ongoing redistricting battle, which intensified after the Trump administration pushed to redraw Texas congressional maps to favor Republicans. He claimed Democrats have consistently outmaneuvered the GOP. "Every step of the way, we have outmaneuvered the Republicans, and now they recognize they are on the back end of Democrats actually winning everywhere in a year where we're kicking their ass and they keep playing these games," Martin told MSNBC, adding, "Keep messing around and find out."
Voters in California and Virginia have approved new district lines that could boost Democratic candidates in November. Meanwhile, Florida's redistricting effort is set for a special legislative session next week. Governor Ron DeSantis has defended the new map, which could flip three to five additional congressional seats to Republicans, despite Democratic opposition.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries dismissed the potential impact of Florida's redrawn map, arguing it would backfire. "Our message to Florida Republicans is, 'F around and find out,'" Jeffries told reporters on Capitol Hill. DeSantis fired back, offering to "pay" for Jeffries to campaign in Florida. "There's nothing that could be better for Republicans in Florida than to see Jeffries everywhere around this state," the governor said Wednesday. "Voters will not like what they see, they will not want that type of ideology, and so the door is open, the invitation's out there."
Martin's comments come as the DNC continues to battle the administration on multiple fronts, including efforts to block Trump's asylum ban at the southern border. The party is also closely watching bipartisan legislation targeting Trump's eased Russia oil sanctions, which could have implications for foreign policy debates.
With the midterms drawing closer, Martin's message is clear: Democrats are preparing for every contingency, from legal fights to grassroots mobilization, to counter what they see as an unprecedented threat to electoral integrity.
