The Guardian view on the US midterms and election interference: Trump’s attempted heist is already under way

Key Points:

• Psychologist Jennifer Freyd's pattern of "deny, accuse, and reverse victim and offender" is observed in Donald Trump's political strategy, especially as he claims Democrats will steal midterm election seats through illegitimate votes amid expected Republican losses.
• Since the January 6 insurrection, efforts to undermine election results have intensified, with weakened protections from the Supreme Court's gutting of the Voting Rights Act and a more compliant Justice Department, raising concerns about election integrity and voter intimidation.
• Courts have blocked some unconstitutional executive orders on election powers, but the cumulative effect of various tactics could sway key races by small margins, while intimidation tactics may discourage legitimate voters, particularly those with undocumented relatives.
• Trump has called for prosecuting Democratic candidate Mary Peltola over alleged unethical campaign tactics, which, while questionable, do not justify contesting election results, highlighting that the real threat to democracy stems from Trump and his supporters.
• Election officials, including Republicans, are working hard to uphold democratic processes despite threats, but the growing influence of election deniers on election boards poses a significant challenge to fair elections.