Steve Bannon said that the recent deployment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to assist at airports could serve as a trial run for a broader role in the 2026 midterm elections.

Speaking on his “War Room” program with conservative attorney Mike Davis, Bannon raised the idea of using ICE’s current involvement in airport operations as preparation for election-related activities.

“We can use what’s happening with these ICE [officers] helping out at the airports, we can use this as a test run, as a test case to really perfect ICE’s involvement in the 2026 midterm elections, sir?” Bannon asked.

Davis responded by expressing support for the presence of immigration officers at polling locations.

“Yeah, I think we should have ICE agents at the polling places, because if you’re an illegal alien you can’t vote, right? It’s against the law, it’s a federal crime for you to vote in federal elections.”

“And so, if you’re an American citizen, you should be happy that ICE is there, because you’re not going to have illegal aliens canceling out your vote,” he added.

“Exactly,” Bannon replied. “Pick ‘em out of line starting today, and maybe the lines will get shorter.”

The comments come as ICE and Homeland Security Investigations personnel began assisting Transportation Security Administration officers at airports across the country on Monday. The move follows staffing shortages tied to the Department of Homeland Security shutdown, which has led to an increase in resignations among TSA personnel and longer security lines nationwide.

Tom Homan, who is overseeing the effort as the White House border czar, said during an appearance on SiriusXM’s “Cuomo Mornings” that ICE officers are not conducting security screenings themselves, but are instead helping with other responsibilities, such as managing entry and exit points at checkpoints.

President Trump told reporters Monday that the deployment was “my idea.” He also said in an interview with NewsNation’s Hannah Brandt on Sunday that ICE agents would assist TSA officers “for as long as it takes.”

Following his discussion with Davis, Bannon reiterated his support for expanding ICE’s role, suggesting their responsibilities could extend beyond airports.

“They’re trained to, wait for it, check IDs,” he said, referring to ICE officers. “That’s why it’s perfect training for the fall of 2026. This is why it’s such a brilliant [move], this is another 5D chess move from President Trump.

“Let’s get ICE into the airports to help out [with] the lines and they can’t work the [X-ray] machines. You know what they’ll do, they’ll just walk on down [and say], ‘Hey, we’re going to speed things through, can we check your IDs?’ That’s what’s going to happen in the fall of ‘26 because folks, we’re tired of having elections stolen. So, ICE is going to be there in the fall of ‘26, just like they’re in the airports today.”

{Matzav.com}