Pelosi warns of Trump ‘surveillance’ ahead of midterms: ‘Don’t put anything past him’

Speaking from Munich, Nancy Pelosi urged Dems to prepare legal and on-the-ground safeguards, saying concerns about election integrity were growing
UPDATED FEB 14, 2026
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi cited fears that President Trump could deploy ICE or the National Guard around voting sites, urging Democrats not to dismiss any possibility (Getty Images)
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi cited fears that President Trump could deploy ICE or the National Guard around voting sites, urging Democrats not to dismiss any possibility (Getty Images)


WASHINGTON, DC: Rep Nancy Pelosi warned Democrats to brace for what she described as potential “surveillance by the intelligence operation” as the US headed toward the midterm elections, urging them not to underestimate President Donald Trump.

Pelosi made the remarks in an interview with MS NOW on Saturday, February 14, while attending the Munich Security Conference in Germany. She said concerns about the integrity of US elections were widespread, both at home and abroad.

“Surveillance by the intelligence operation of our country, surveillance in our own country, is something that is absolutely not to be allowed,” Pelosi said.

MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 17: Nancy Pelosi attends the 2024 Munich Security Conference on February 17, 2024 in Munich, Germany. The conference is bringing together political and defence leaders from all over the world. It is taking place as Russia's war in Ukraine will soon enter its third year and the conflict in Gaza continues to grind on. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)
Nancy Pelosi attends the 2024 Munich Security Conference on February 17, 2024, in Munich, Germany (Johannes Simon/Getty Images)

Nancy Pelosi says Tulsi Gabbard's role raises red flags

Pelosi said she was particularly alarmed by the involvement of Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard in a Federal Bureau of Investigation raid on a polling station in Fulton County to retrieve 2020 election ballots.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 13: Tulsi Gabbard attends a live taping of Hannity at Fox News Channel Studios on September 13, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Steven Ferdman/Getty Images)
Tulsi Gabbard attends a live taping of Hannity at Fox News Channel Studios on September 13, 2023, in New York City (Steven Ferdman/Getty Images)

“For Tulsi to be looking into elections is really not right. It’s not lawful. It’s not right. But that doesn’t seem to ever bother the president,” Pelosi said. 

Pelosi added that Democrats were preparing legal and legislative responses, including court challenges and on-the-ground monitoring at polling places.

FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 13: U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a visit to the Fort Bragg U.S. Army base on February 13, 2026 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Trump visited the base to honor special forces involved in the military operation in Venezuela in early 2026. (Photo by Nathan Howard/Getty Images)
President Donald Trump speaks during a visit to the Fort Bragg Army base on February 13, 2026, in Fort Bragg, North Carolina (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)

Nancy Pelosi urges Democrats to push back on voter ID

Pelosi also vowed that Democrats would fight the proposed voter ID requirements that Trump had promised to implement before the midterms. 

The House recently passed the 'SAVE Act,' with one Democrat joining Republicans. The bill now faces a difficult path in the Senate.

U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), joined by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and fellow congressional Democrats, speaks at a press conference on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding at the U.S. Capitol on February 04, 2026 in Washington, DC. The Democratic leadership outlined their demands for ICE accountability as Congress debates funding legislation for the DHS ahead of next week's deadline. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), joined by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and fellow congressional Democrats, speaks at a press conference on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding at the Capitol on February 04, 2026, in Washington, DC (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Despite her concerns, Pelosi told European leaders she had “absolute certainty” Democrats would win back control of the House of Representatives.

Nancy Pelosi says Trump could deploy ICE or National Guard 

Pelosi warned that Trump could attempt to influence the elections by deploying federal forces, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement or the National Guard.

“People are concerned they’re going to send in ICE and the National Guard or this or that,” she said. “Don’t put anything past him,” she added.

Citing the events of January 6, Pelosi argued that Trump had already shown a willingness to undermine democratic norms. “When the president of the United States personally incited an insurrection in our country,” she said, “he’s capable of any bad thing.”

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