U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin, who serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, delivered a speech on the Senate floor raising concerns about actions by the Trump Administration that he says threaten election integrity.
Durbin began by addressing what he described as an “outrageous attempt” by the Administration to persuade a grand jury to indict several Democratic lawmakers, including Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin, and Representatives Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander, and Chrissy Houlahan.
“What happened yesterday in the courts of the District of Columbia was one side of the equation frightening and on the other side encouraging. [It is] frightening that any Administration would think they can squash free speech of Members of Congress… There’s never been a president who used the Department of Justice to quiet Congress in this way… The fact that the grand jury of residents of the District of Columbia stood up and rejected this indictment of two Senators and several members of the House is proof positive that people still understand the basic values of our Constitution, and one of them is our freedom of expression. Freedom to speak. Freedom to express our point of view,” said Durbin.
He questioned why it reached a point where members were targeted for their statements: “Why did it reach this point that the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia tried to quiet Members of Congress because of the objection of what Members of Congress were saying? This was a test. I hope it is the last test… It is up to us, Democrats and Republicans, for the good of this Constitution, and the value and the good of the Congress and the value of the Constitution to stand behind those members who are exercising their rights.”
Durbin also criticized recent events in Fulton County, Georgia. He referred to reports stating that President Trump ordered Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to lead a raid in which FBI agents seized hundreds of thousands of ballots from 2020. He noted direct involvement by both Trump and Gabbard in these actions.
“To state the obvious, it is completely inappropriate for the President and Director of National Intelligence to be personally involved in a domestic criminal investigation. But Attorney General Pam Bondi has allowed the President to weaponize her department and federal law enforcement to pursue his personal and political goals. Why target Fulton County? Because this jurisdiction has been at center stage in President Trump’s false claims concerning so-called ‘fraud’ in 2020—an election he still refuses to acknowledge,” Durbin stated.
He recalled previous incidents involving efforts by then-President Trump regarding Georgia’s Secretary of State after 2020’s election results: attempts were made to alter vote counts followed by violence at Capitol Hill on January 6th.
“He failed. But now, his endgame for 2026 has become clear: he’s working to rewrite rules...and rig system,” said Durbin.
The senator highlighted redistricting efforts in Texas allegedly at Trump’s urging as well as increased deployment by immigration enforcement agencies into cities such as Minneapolis and Chicago—cities which did not support him electorally.
“In meantime...masked federal agents...arrest innocent Americans because color skin...citizens like Chicagoan Marimar Martinez can be shot five times by federal agents with impunity [and] be branded falsely as ‘domestic terrorist.’ Thankfully...Ms. Martinez survived....DHS has directed immigration agents crash down doors...to arrest people without any judicial warrant...” Durbin said.
According to Durbin, following these events Attorney General Bondi sent Minnesota Governor Tim Walz an offer: reduce enforcement presence if voter rolls are provided.
“If you’re Donald Trump, you want those voter rolls...to push unwarranted purges...disenfranchise voters—especially voters who aren’t likely support you next election....Justice Department has now sued dozens states for their voter rolls....All textbook authoritarianism… And I fear President United States working rig system ensure Republicans never lose another election,” he said.
Durbin referenced comments from Steve Bannon about ICE surrounding polling places; he also quoted former President Trump advocating nationalizing voting administration over select locations.
“Article I Constitution—and decades Supreme Court precedent—make clear President cannot take over administration elections from states....Just imagine Barack Obama or Joe Biden had called nationalizing elections...” continued Durbin.
He concluded with concerns about future elections: “The President’s aims are clear. He wants make case for ‘Big Lie’ that 2020 election was stolen from him so he can assuage fragile ego justify directly interfering 2026 & 2028 elections....We will do everything power save democracy from a President who has such distain for our Constitution.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee, where Durbin holds leadership responsibilities, plays a key role overseeing constitutional protections through its legislative duties affecting public safety nationwide (see official website). The committee reviews legislation related to civil rights issues (source) while supervising federal law enforcement activities across jurisdictions (source). As a standing committee based in Washington D.C., it includes senators from both major parties (source).
Video footage and audio recordings from Senator Durbin's remarks are available online.
