State election officials have condemned President Donald Trump's recent speech, which reiterated claims of foreign interference in the 2020 election that have been widely debunked. The comments came during a National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) conference in Rapid City, South Dakota, where many officials were present for discussions on midterm election preparations.
Connecticut Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas stated that Trump's remarks undermine public confidence in elections, noting that voters have expressed fear about potential issues at polling sites. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that eligible voters can participate without intimidation.
Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon pointed out that Trump’s claims about election interference occurred while he was in office, questioning the implications of his statements regarding the performance of his own administration. Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs mentioned that his office is preparing for potential federal interference in upcoming elections, while expressing frustration over Trump's ongoing allegations.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who previously faced pressure from Trump regarding vote counts, took a more measured approach, stating he would review the claims before responding. He acknowledged Trump's commitment to promoting voter fraud prevention measures in states.
Other officials, including Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold and Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, reiterated the security and integrity of their states' elections, rejecting Trump's assertions. Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar provided a blunt assessment of Trump's speech, stating, "That was some bullshit."