A former senior official from the Department of Homeland Security has raised alarm bells over what he describes as a “forbidden” strategy employed by President Donald Trump to manipulate the upcoming midterm elections.

Paul Rosenzweig, who served under President George W. Bush, contends that Trump is severely undermining the principle of executive neutrality in government. In his opinion, this principle is crucial to preserving American democracy.

Rosenzweig articulated his concerns in a recent op-ed for The Atlantic, stating, “The Trump administration couldn’t care less: It appears to see the federal government not as something to steward on behalf of all Americans, but as an opportunity—a set of levers it can pull on to protect its reign.”

He further elaborated how, in contrast to earlier administrations, members of Trump’s cabinet are not shying away from campaigning for Republican candidates from their official platforms, fundamentally altering the relationship between government and politics.

Rosenzweig shared examples of this electoral meddling, noting how Trump has requested the U.S. Postal Service to impose restrictions on mail-in balloting, tilted media coverage in his favor, and even threatened to withhold Disaster Relief funds from states that do not support Republican candidates.

He referred to some of Trump’s tactics as being on “legal gray areas,” while others are outright violations of established laws, such as the Hatch Act. This law, enacted to prevent government officials from using their position for partisan political activities, has been disregarded, according to Rosenzweig.

Specificity was key in Rosenzweig’s critique, as he highlighted instances of Trump and his administration officials actively campaigning for Republican candidates, from Attorney General Todd Blanche to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Rosenzweig questioned who would hold the administration accountable for these alleged transgressions, noting that the Office of Special Counsel—responsible for enforcing the Hatch Act—has been leaderless since Trump fired its head early in his second term.

He explained that despite having no permanent leader, the Office of Special Counsel has somehow managed to launch a Hatch Act investigation into a High-profile individual: former Special Counsel Jack Smith.

Rosenzweig pointed out other governmental attempts at swaying public opinion, including actions by FCC Chairman Brendan Carr against media outlets deemed anti-Trump and efforts to invalidate the neutrality of the U.S. Postal Service through federal initiatives regarding mail-in voting.

Furthermore, Rosenzweig criticized the distribution of taxpayer-funded propaganda praising Trump and the bizarre proposal that voters would receive $5,000 checks should Republicans emerge victorious in the election.

He described the administration’s activities as attacks against democratic principles that pose a threat to the integrity of the electoral process itself. “When politicians repurpose government action to help themselves maintain power, they are breaking a fundamental promise of governmental impartiality,” Rosenzweig warned.

Such a shift, he argues, erodes the very foundations that allow democracy to function, introducing a toxic culture where government resources may be weaponized for political gain.

Rosenzweig expressed that although Trump’s attempt to use government as a political tool is prevalent, it hasn’t fully permeated American culture yet. If it does, he warns that the implications could extend beyond losing control of Congress.

Ultimately, the former DHS official fears for the future of democracy itself, emphasizing that the American electorate has the right to expect a fair and impartial government.

In wrapping up his thoughts, Rosenzweig affirmed that the consequences of infringing upon governmental neutrality could lead to a significant decline in public trust and engagement within the democratic process.

As the midterm elections approach, the urgency of maintaining a clear separation between governance and partisan objectives is more critical than ever, according to experts like Rosenzweig.

The clarity and integrity of democratic processes hinge on accountability, and Rosenzweig’s warnings highlight the ongoing battle over the future role of government in American electoral politics.