There’s been a lot of talk about election security and integrity. That’s not going away any time soon.
Especially after Trump’s DOJ has uncovered a wild election interference scheme from a top foreign threat.
Trump Administration Cracks Down on Foreign Nationals Voting Illegally in U.S. Elections
The Trump administration is taking decisive action to safeguard American elections, with a sharp focus on rooting out illegal voting by foreign nationals. A recent case involving a Chinese national, Haoxiang Gao, has brought renewed attention to the administration’s commitment to election integrity. Gao, a former University of Michigan student, allegedly voted unlawfully in the 2024 presidential election and fled the country just one day before President Donald Trump’s second inauguration, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Federal prosecutors allege that Gao, while attending the University of Michigan, used his student ID to register to vote in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the 2024 election. By falsely claiming U.S. citizenship on his voter registration application, he was able to cast a ballot, an act that prosecutors say undermines the democratic process. The DOJ’s swift response to this case highlights the Trump administration’s priority to protect the sanctity of American elections from foreign interference.
“Illegal voting is a serious crime that cast doubt on our elections and serves to disenfranchise United States citizens by diluting their power at the ballot box,” U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon said Tuesday in a prepared statement. “But illegal voting by a foreign national who is from a country controlled by a communist party dictatorship – with no modern history or tradition of democratic government – is beyond the pale.” Gorgon’s remarks emphasize the administration’s stance that foreign nationals, particularly those from nations without democratic traditions, pose a unique threat to the electoral system.
The case first came to light in October 2024, when the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office and the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office revealed that an unnamed Chinese national had illegally voted just days before the presidential election pitting Trump against then-Vice President Kamala Harris. At the time, limited details were shared about the individual’s identity, but the incident raised alarms about vulnerabilities in voter registration processes, prompting swift action from state and federal authorities.
Gao faced state charges and was granted a $5,000 personal bond with conditions, including surrendering his passport and remaining in Michigan during his case. However, he allegedly violated these terms, fleeing the U.S. on a flight to Shanghai, China, on January 19, 2025. According to Customs and Border Protection records, Gao passed through Detroit Metropolitan Airport using a different People’s Republic of China passport than the one he had surrendered to University of Michigan police, raising questions about how he evaded detection.
The DOJ has now escalated the matter, charging Gao with the federal offense of flight to avoid prosecution. “The federal charges filed against Haoxiang Gao, a Chinese national, serve as a clear and unequivocal reminder that the FBI will investigate anyone who attempts to unlawfully interfere with the electoral process in the United States,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office.
JUST IN: Florida authorities ARRESTED an illegal Haitian national for casting FRAUDULENT BALLOTS in the election
BUT WAIT! I thought voter fraud was FAKE, Democrats?
What happened? pic.twitter.com/77IiHh59kb
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) June 13, 2025
“The FBI treats all allegations of voter fraud with the utmost seriousness, and we are committed to holding accountable those who violate our election laws.” Gibson’s statement reinforces the administration’s reliance on federal law enforcement to uphold election integrity.
This case is part of a larger pattern of enforcement actions under the Trump administration targeting foreign nationals who illegally participate in U.S. elections. In April 2025, two Ukrainian nationals, 53-year-old Svitlana Demydenko and her 22-year-old daughter, Yelyzaveta Demydenko, were charged with voting illegally in the 2024 election. That same month, 45-year-old Iraqi citizen Akeel Abdul Jamiel faced accusations of casting an unlawful vote in the 2020 presidential election, further illustrating the administration’s focus on addressing these violations.
Another high-profile case involved Lina Maria Orovio-Hernandez, a 59-year-old illegal migrant living in Boston under a stolen identity for over two decades. Prosecutors allege she not only voted in the 2024 election but had been registered to vote since January 2023, while also improperly receiving $400,000 in government benefits. These cases demonstrate the Trump administration’s commitment to identifying and prosecuting those who exploit the electoral system, often while evading other legal consequences.
To strengthen election security, President Trump signed the “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections” executive order in March 2025. This directive aims to ensure compliance with federal laws that prevent illegal voting, discrimination, and fraud. The order represents a cornerstone of the administration’s strategy to fortify the electoral process against external threats, prioritizing the rights of American citizens at the ballot box.
Recently, however, a federal judge has unilaterally struck down the constitutionality of the election integrity executive orders from the Trump administration. The Obama-appointed Judge, Denise Casper, said that the Trump administration had no authority to enforce this executive order and that it needed to go through Congress.
THIS IS UNREAL. A judge is now trying to let NONCITIZENS vote in elections.
Judge Denise Casper, an OBAMA judge. pic.twitter.com/wcT20dRmNX
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 13, 2025
Building on this effort, the administration introduced a new feature in May 2025 through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This tool allows state and local officials to verify U.S. citizenship by inputting Social Security numbers, a practical step to prevent foreign nationals from registering to vote. The initiative has been praised for its potential to close loopholes that have allowed non-citizens to participate in elections.
By cracking down on illegal voting and implementing safeguards, the administration is working to restore confidence in the electoral system, ensuring that only eligible American citizens determine the nation’s future.
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
