What majorities in Congress for the end of Joe Biden’s term? Americans began voting on Tuesday, November 8, for the midterm elections, a decisive ballot that could offer a new majority to the Republican camp in the House of Representatives, but also in the Senate.
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The US President called on citizens to “defend democracy”, at the time of the first major elections since the assault on the Capitol in Washington on January 6, 2021. Almost two years later, the political context in the United States remains tense, raising fears of acts of violence and new disputes over the results. Franceinfo explains why these midterms are likely to take place under high tension across the Atlantic.
1More than 300 Republican candidates are contesting the 2020 election
According to a survey by New York Times* (paid link), more than 370 Republican candidates running in these midterm elections – for the House of Representatives, the Senate or for positions within their states – expressed unfounded doubts about the validity of the results of the presidential election in November 2020. For its part, CBS News* lists 308 denarii (deniers, in French), which represents more than half of the Republican candidates for the midterms.
In nearly every US state except Rhode Island and North Dakota, at least one candidate is a denier, that is, he challenges the validity of Joe Biden’s 2020 victory. Twenty Republican gubernatorial candidates toe this line held by former President Donald Trump, as do 12 right-wing candidates in vying for the job of secretary of state – a position one of whose main roles is, precisely, to oversee statewide elections. Twenty candidates for a senator’s seat are also denarii, as well as 238 Republicans running for the House of Representatives.
2Authorities warn of an “increased” threat
At the end of October, the American government warned of a threat “increased” weighing on the mid-term elections, in a context of rising “violent domestic extremism”. “Potential targets (…) include candidates for public office, elected officials, electoral staff, political rallies, representatives of political parties, racial and religious minorities or people perceived as ideological opponents”warn several institutions, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, in a document consulted by CBS News *.
The US president himself spoke about it, less than a week before the midterm elections. “There is an alarming rise in the number of people in this country who condone political violence, or simply remain silent,” said Joe Biden, lambasting “the path of chaos in America”, in reference to candidates contesting the 2020 election. “It’s unprecedented, it’s illegal, and it’s not American, continued the head of state. We know that democracy is in danger, but we also know this: it is in our power to preserve our democracy.”
3Elected officials and electoral staff are threatened
In the United States, threats against members of Congress have increased dramatically “net” over the past few years, according to Capitol Police. These elected officials were the target of 9,600 threats, direct or indirect, in 2021, according to this source quoted by CBS News*. In this context, candidates for the mid-term elections have in turn been the subject of threats, like Katie Hobbs, Secretary of State in Arizona, in the running for the post of governor. “I’m a hunter, and I think you should be hunted”; “You’ll never be safe in Arizona again”; “Your days are numbered”… Here are several of the voicemail messages received by the Democratic candidate, according to Time*. Republicans were also targeted, such as New York gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin.
Election staff, who ensure the smooth running of elections and the counting of votes, are also particularly targeted. According to Lawrence Norden of the Brennan Center, quoted by Politico*, “Election officials are being followed home, being threatened with death as they leave their offices. Some have seen armed protesters turn up outside their homes.”
In Arizona, testimonies have reported people sometimes masked and armed, monitoring ballot boxes during early voting. A citizen of Iowa has been charged with threatening to kill several officials of the electoral process in Arizona, as well as members of the team of the attorney general, reports Time*. Election workers in six swing statesthese pivotal States being able to tilt the elections, spoke to NBC News * of a state of alert “raised“As the midterms approach.
4Nancy Pelosi’s husband was violently assaulted
On October 28, the husband of Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi was attacked at their home in San Francisco, California, according to local authorities. Paul Pelosi, whom the assailant assaulted with a hammer, suffered a fractured skull and injuries to his hands and arm.
Attacker Was Spreading Conspiracy, Anti-Semitic, Far-Right Theories Online, Investigation Finds Los Angeles Times*.
5Safety devices are reinforced
Law enforcement agencies across the United States have stepped up efforts to protect election officials as the midterms approach, standing ready for potential acts of violence. In several states, such as Arizona, more police are deployed near polling stations. “Election officials have regularly expressed their concerns… I have meetings every day with my team and we have a solid, comprehensive plan just to make sure we get through this election.” Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone tells Politico*.
* Links followed by an asterisk refer to articles in English.