'Try us': Newsom challenges Mullin's threat to jail state election officials
California has free, fair, and secure elections and we will fight for them.
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) July 17, 2026
Try us. https://t.co/apFpjuGWn3
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Soon after Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced that election officials could face charges if they don’t cooperate with the DHS to enhance the election security efforts ahead of the midterms in 2026, California Governor Gavin Newsom challenged him, saying, “try us.”
Mullin warned state election officials that they could face fines, penalties, or even prison time if they refuse to cooperate with the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) election security efforts after receiving federal guidance.
Gavin Newsom vows to defend California's election system
“California has free, fair, and secure elections and we will fight for them,” Newsom wrote in an X post on Friday, July 17.
“Try us,” he added.
Newsom’s reaction comes after Mullin said that election officials in states that don’t cooperate with the Trump administration may face jail time.
Markwayne Mullin warns states over election security compliance
Speaking at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus, Mullin said states could help restore confidence in future elections, but insisted they must participate in federal election security efforts.
"When we start talking about, can we ensure that the midterm elections are going to be secure? Yes, we absolutely can build confidence in the American people, but the states have to do their part," he said.
Mullin then warned that officials who reject DHS assistance could face legal consequences.
Markwayne Mullin: "States that choose not to participate in the Save Program…we will make sure we make those states a priority to look at who voted in their states and holding their election officials accountable…by fines, by penalties, and even prison time." pic.twitter.com/JumAZecD99
— The Bulwark (@BulwarkOnline) July 17, 2026
"I will tell you, if the states choose not to participate, we will make sure that we make those states a priority to look at who voted in their states and hold the election officials accountable," he said.
"If the election officials, once we gave them the information they need to secure their elections, and they chose not to, then those individuals can also be held accountable by fines, by penalties, and even, depending on how far it goes, prison time," Mullin said.
Trump revives 2020 election rigging allegations again
Mullin’s statement came only hours after President Donald Trump's speech, where he questioned the fairness of the poll system and alleged that the 2020 presidential election was rigged.
Parts of his speech touched on allegations that China accessed US voter data and tried to influence the 2020 election, and alleged voting machine vulnerabilities.
