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DNC chair on Trump ‘trying to hold onto power’ ahead of midterms: ‘We’re planning for everything’

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by Sarah Davis - 04/25/26 12:03 PM ET

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by Sarah Davis - 04/25/26 12:03 PM ET

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Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Ken Martin said the party is “planning for everything” ahead of the midterms.

Martin acknowledged polling favoring Democrats in the upcoming elections during a Saturday morning appearance on MS NOW’S “The Weekend,” but he warned that President Trump could try to “suppress the vote.”

“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,” the DNC chief continued. “Meaning … we don’t even know what to expect.”

He added, “We’re planning for everything at this moment, and trust me it’s quite extensive.”

The DNC sued the Trump administration in March, after the White House declined to rule out deploying federal immigration agents to polling sites this November. Additionally, Democrats have criticized the president’s efforts to crack down on mail-in ballots and request voting records.

Martin also addressed the ongoing redistricting battle between the two parties, which began after the Trump administration led an effort in Texas to redraw its congressional maps to give Republicans more of an edge in the state.

Voters in California, and most recently in Virginia, have approved new district lines that could net more support to Democratic candidates ahead of November.

“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 MS NOW, adding, “Keep messing around and find out.”

The DNC chair also referenced Florida’s redistricting effort that is expected to play out in a special legislative session next week. Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has defended the new map from Democratic opposition, which could swing 3 to 5 additional congressional seats in the GOPs favor.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) cast doubt on the effectiveness of this redistricting change for Republicans, arguing the move will backfire.

“Our message to Florida Republicans is, ‘F around and find out,’” Jeffries told reporters earlier Wednesday on Capitol Hill, in reference to the redistricting move.

DeSantis responded in kind, saying he would “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.”

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