If ICE were to block voters from the polls, then

[no_hypocrisy]

could volunteers escort the voters to the polls, similar to escorts to abortion clinics? IOW, would it work?

[Rebl2]

1. The escorts would

Last edited Tue Oct 14, 2025, 05:20 PM - Edit history (1)

probably be arrested if they did that.

[Fiendish Thingy]

2. You've forgotten something

States run their elections, not the feds.

Also, you’ve forgotten the most important fact:

Trump is not omnipotent, and the states and the people are not powerless

There will certainly be attempts at ratfucking and chicanery, but we aren’t going to simply clutch our pearls and exclaim (Scarlett O’Hara voice) “what evah shall we do?”.

[W_HAMILTON]

11. Here we go again...

Just like states and cities run their law enforcement, right? Not the feds that are now going against the will of state/city leaders and using military forces to police their streets?

[Fiendish Thingy]

12. Where is the military "policing the streets"?

Not in Portland.

Not in Chicago.

In DC, they’re picking up litter.

In LA, 10,000 troops couldn’t contain or control the city, and left after less than a month.

So…that leaves Memphis, where the governor welcomed them with open arms.

[W_HAMILTON]

13. Thank you for that response because it shows your mindset about these matters.

I prefer people be vigilant and plan for the worst because that's usually what Trump is going to end up doing vs thinking everything will be okay because his recent military deployments on U.S. soil and threats are no big deal to you.

Obama also disagrees with you: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/opinion-obama-rebukes-trump-national-172451370.html

[Fiendish Thingy]

14. As Saint Ronnie once said, "there you go again"...

Putting words in my mouth.

I’m not thinking “everything will be okay” and Trump’s use of the military is “ no big deal”.

My comments support my assertion/mantra:

Trump is not omnipotent, and the states and the people are not powerless

That is a verifiable fact- the people and the states are actively resisting actual repression and violations of rights, and in the case military deployments, with a great deal of success.

I don’t consider endless doom posting of imaginary apocalyptic events, and histrionic Pearl clutching and hand wringing to be effective “planning for the worst”.

There are plenty of here and now challenges to be dealt with, I’ll leave the what if’s to the
legal experts like Marc Elias.

[W_HAMILTON]

21. I think you need to look more into what Marc Elias actually thinks if you are going to reference him.

Because he is also much closer to my position than yours:

(Elias) thinks people not taking Trump literally is “one of the great failings” of his time in power.

“Every day we wake up and we see another vindictive act by this administration against its political opponents, whether they be in elective office or be in the private sector,” he said. “I think anyone who uses their voice to speak up against Donald Trump needs to be realistic about the nature of this administration and the threats it poses.”

Taken from: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/24/marc-elias-trump-democrats-retribution

Most of Elias's comments nowadays are through interviews and podcasts and the like, so anyone is free to go watch for themselves how serious Elias himself is treating the threat posed by Trump.

[themaguffin]

28. too many here want to indulge right wing narratives & complying in advance. F that. You're right. States matter in this

fuckery will happen, but there's a reason why the GOP is hellbent on gerrymandering - it's because they simply can't block us from voting straight up. Shit will happen, but we are going to vote and we need to encourage voting, no matter what.

[BannonsLiver]

18. Yeah their cut and paste shtick has gotten tired.

Like we get it, nothing Trump does bothers you that much. Fucking exhausting.

[edhopper]

22. There is nothing to stop Trump

From deploying ICE in key Dem districts of swing States to intimidate voters.

[Fiendish Thingy]

24. You're wrong

Trump has power, but outside of the executive branch, he has very little control.

Sure, he could try to send ICE to polling places- do you think the blue states will sit on their hands and not respond?

Even with 10,000 new ICE recruits, there simply aren’t enough goons to cover all the blue precincts in major cities- do the math.

Trump is not omnipotent, and the states and the people are not powerless

Stop spreading mythology and stay grounded in the reality based community.

There will be enough actual ratfucking to deal with, we don’t need imaginary doomsday scenarios to distract us.

[EdmondDantes_]

25. It's weird to me that so many seem to want to feel powerless

Having agency is a good thing and should be empowering to continue to work towards the things we value.

[Fiendish Thingy]

26. Feeling powerless is simpler and easier than fighting and working towards solutions

It’s more painful, but some prefer a predictable known pain to an unpredictable, unknown solution.

[sop]

27. That's exactly how it could happen: targeted voter intimidation to suppress turnout in key voting areas.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

3. if that would "work," why aren't we doing it to protect people ICE is targeting now?

[leftstreet]

6. +1

[Ms. Toad]

9. There are opportunities.

There are immigration court observes. Friends of mine who are doing this report their presence seems to make a difference.

I believe there are also friendly presence programs which extend beyond the courtroom.

I'm sure election observers will also be trained in his to respond to ICE. (There is already training to deal with existing anticipated disruptions. I'm not observing this election, so I didn't know specifics for what is going on now.)

[WhiskeyGrinder]

10. Sure, I was objecting to the idea that putting on a vest and walking with someone would somehow keep ICE from snatching

them away if they wanted. There are plenty of observation and notification tactics in the meantime, absolutely.

[Ms. Toad]

15. I know what you meant. It just seemed like a good opportunity to interject something

That might make people feel a little less hopeless - or might motivate someone to look into joining monitoring activities.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

16. Ah got it

[awesomerwb1]

29. And then proud boys and other MAGAs will show up to escort ICE

Could get messy

[Wounded Bear]

4. It's why they hate vote by mail. Can't intimidate people when they VBM...nt

[DiverDave]

17. I vote by mail

Now if it gets delivered...
Im going to watch very closely

[Wounded Bear]

19. I use the provided drop boxes...

I mostly still trust the mail, but not willing to take the chance any more.

[Irish_Dem]

5. ICE is threatening to shoot/kill ambulance drivers.

What do you think they would do to volunteers helping voters who are
going to vote against them and Trump/MAGAs?

[poli-junkie]

7. Mandate vote by mail!

[edhopper]

23. Who will do that

Before they steal 2026?

[lame54]

8. I-mmigration seems to have a lot of meanings

[Jack Valentino]

20. Escorted by volunteers AND local police in riot gear armed with shotguns,

in the areas where blue has control!


It, like our White House squatter, is TOTALLY INSANE
that we even have to be having such a conversation!