FBI Director Kash Patel suggested at a Senate hearing on September 15, 2026, that federal agents may be present at polling locations in November. This comment follows remarks from Michigan gubernatorial candidate John James, who stated that Patel indicated the FBI would have a presence across the state leading up to Election Day. Patel confirmed, "We have an election crimes community coordinator at all 56 offices. So you bet we’re gonna have them there … for election interference matters."
U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) questioned Patel about his previous statements regarding the deployment of FBI agents to polling places. Patel responded, "It’s just another lie," when Welch referenced earlier comments made to U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). Welch pressed further, asking, "So you are sending agents to the polls?" Patel reiterated that election integrity is crucial and that the FBI would not shy away from its efforts in this area.
FBI Election Crimes Coordinators are special agents who respond to threats reported by local and state election officials. Although agents are assigned to all field offices nationwide, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission does not indicate that these agents typically maintain a consistent presence at polling sites. They are usually called in for specific issues related to election crimes.
In a prior exchange, Blumenthal asked Patel if deploying FBI agents to polling places on Election Day would be illegal. Patel stated, "I don’t know that we can’t legally do it," and emphasized that agents and analysts would be stationed in field offices for election security. He also noted that the Department of Homeland Security, not the FBI, should lead election monitoring efforts.
Federal law prohibits armed federal officers at election sites, except in cases of repelling armed threats. Additionally, federal law bars voter intimidation, and some state laws restrict law enforcement presence at polling locations. Tom Homan, the border czar, stated he does not plan to use Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to sweep polling locations, despite previous comments suggesting otherwise.
Blumenthal also questioned Patel about FBI subpoenas sent to the Nevada Secretary of State's office demanding personal voter information. Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar (D) criticized the Trump administration's intimidation threats, stating that an illegal FBI presence at the polls would be a poor decision. Aguilar remarked, "They are criminals, and there are illegal activities that are taking place by foreign adversaries and others that he needs to focus on rather than focusing on innocent voters."
Jim Saksa contributed to this reporting.