Washington, Feb 4 (NationPress) President Donald Trump has advocated for an increased federal role in US elections, asserting that states failing to conduct elections “legally and honestly” should be subject to federal intervention.

During a press conference at the White House after signing a significant spending bill on Tuesday (local time), Trump expressed skepticism about the current state-administered election system.

“I want to see elections be honest,” he stated. “If a state can’t run an election, I believe the people behind me should take action.”

Trump emphasized that states function as agents of the federal government during elections and proposed that Washington should intervene when issues arise.

“A state acts as an agent for the federal government in elections,” he remarked.

“If they can’t count the votes legally and honestly, then someone else should take charge.”

When a reporter pointed out that the Constitution grants states power over elections, Trump replied, “They can manage the election, but they must do it honestly.”

He reiterated allegations of election irregularities in previous contests, mentioning several cities.

“Look at Detroit, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and Atlanta,” he remarked. “There’s horrible corruption in elections.”

Trump also reinforced his calls for voter identification requirements, stating, “We should have Voter ID. Who wouldn’t want Voter ID? Only someone looking to cheat.”

The President linked the integrity of elections to wider concerns regarding governance and public trust, asserting that the federal government should not tolerate what he described as “crooked elections.”

On the topic of immigration, Trump defended his administration’s enforcement strategies and dismissed proposals from Democratic leaders suggesting that immigration agents should need search warrants in certain cases.

“I haven’t even considered it,” Trump responded when asked about requiring warrants for Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions. “No, I’m not contemplating search warrants.”

Senator Lindsey Graham strongly supported Trump, criticizing sanctuary city policies and warning that they promote illegal immigration. “As long as 12 states maintain a sanctuary policy, they will continue to come,” Graham stated. “These magnets for illegal immigration must cease.”

Graham mentioned plans to introduce legislation to abolish sanctuary city policies. “We’re going to bring it to the floor and vote,” he confirmed, adding that this issue would be pivotal in upcoming elections.

Trump echoed these sentiments, labeling sanctuary policies as “a sanctuary for criminals.”

He urged local authorities to collaborate with federal officials. “All they need to do is turn over their criminals,” he stated.

The President also claimed that stricter enforcement has significantly decreased crime rates. He noted that border crossings had declined sharply and asserted that violent crime across the nation is at its lowest level in over a century. “The crime rate now is the lowest it’s been since 1900,” Trump remarked.

Trump further alleged widespread fraud in certain states, particularly Minnesota and California, suggesting that uncovering such fraud could balance the budget.

“If we identify the fraud in this country, you’ll achieve a balanced budget without cutting anything,” he concluded.