---
title: "Trump administration voter fraud probe yields 160 arrests"
publication: "MediaBias News"
url: "https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-administration-voter-fraud-probe-yields-160-arrests"
api: "https://mediabias.news/api/v1/stories/trump-administration-voter-fraud-probe-yields-160-arrests"
markdown: "https://mediabias.news/politics/trump-administration-voter-fraud-probe-yields-160-arrests.md"
audio: "https://mediabias.news/api/audio/trump-administration-voter-fraud-probe-yields-160-arrests"
category: "Politics"
area: "United States"
published: "2026-09-23T15:05:31.799Z"
source_reported: "2026-09-23T13:40:00.000Z"
updated: "2026-09-23T15:05:31.799Z"
trust_score: 42
critic_score: 61
hype_score: 41
assessment_type: "coverage-and-source-reporting-analysis"
fact_check_status: "not-performed"
coverage_measured: "2026-09-23T17:15:18.912831+00:00"
---

# Trump administration voter fraud probe yields 160 arrests

*Homeland Security official reports on effort to find noncitizens on voter rolls, while experts call such cases rare.*

**Scores for the source reporting** (0-100, assessing the original journalism this article was written from, not this write-up): 

- Trust 42 of 100, higher is better. Central claims attributed to named officials, with one full report and multiple independent digests.
- Craft 61 of 100, higher is better. Reporting includes expert commentary and details on the initiative's methods and limitations.
- Hype 41 of 100, lower is better. Headlines emphasize arrests and investigations, downplaying expert assessments of rarity.

Scored by MediaBias News; method at https://mediabias.news/methodology.

**The short version**

- The Trump administration's effort to find and prosecute noncitizens on state voter rolls has led to about 1,600 cases and 160 arrests, according to Homeland Security Investigations senior official Matthew Millhollin.
- Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter stated the Justice Department has charged 70 people since the start of the administration with unlawful voting and registration offenses.
- Experts like former Justice Department attorney David Becker say voter fraud, including by noncitizens, is rare and that states are effective at preventing noncitizens from registering.
- The Trump administration had previously suggested hundreds of thousands of noncitizens were on voter rolls.

An initiative by the Trump administration to identify and prosecute noncitizens illegally registered to vote has resulted in approximately 1,600 cases and 160 arrests, Homeland Security Investigations senior official Matthew Millhollin stated. This effort, described as a whole-of-government approach, aimed to find foul play in elections. The numbers fall significantly short of previous suggestions by the administration that hundreds of thousands of noncitizens were on voter rolls.

The Justice Department has charged 70 individuals since the beginning of the administration for unlawful voting and registration offenses, according to Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter. Millhollin shared his agency's figures at a joint press briefing that also included the Justice Department and the U.S. Postal Service. Neither official clarified if the data from their departments overlapped.

## Disagreement on the prevalence of noncitizen voting

David Becker, a former U.S. Justice Department attorney and leader of the Center for Election Innovation and Research, stated that voter fraud, including by noncitizens, is rare. He added that states are doing a good job of keeping noncitizens off voter lists. Becker suggested that efforts to find widespread noncitizen voting have consistently yielded very small numbers, even when overstated. McCotter, however, argued that even a small number of fraud cases can be significant to the integrity of elections.

## What the coverage left out

None of the left-rated, centre-rated, or right-rated reports printed below mention the specific details of the Texas investigation, which referred 117 cases for investigation and resulted in seven people being charged. The reports also do not mention that the Trump administration has pressured states to use a federal voter database that has been blocked by a federal judge.

## Who covered it

Shares of the 41 covering outlets with a published leaning rating:

- Left: 12% (5)
- Centre: 37% (15)
- Right: 51% (21)

4 of 45 covering outlets carried no usable leaning rating and were excluded from those percentages. Coverage measured 2026-09-23T17:15:18.912831+00:00.

**Coverage watch:** developing. Checked 10 times; 0 checks found a material change. Most recently checked 2026-09-23T17:30:13.395Z.

## How the sides framed it

### Left

- Left-rated reports led on the statement by Homeland Security official Matthew Millhollin that the Trump administration's effort to find and prosecute noncitizens illegally on state voter rolls resulted in about 1,600 cases and 160 arrests. These reports also highlighted that experts say these cases remain rare. They noted that the numbers fall far short of the hundreds of thousands of noncitizen voters previously suggested by the Trump administration. The reports quoted David Becker, a former U.S. Justice Department attorney, who stated that voter fraud, including by noncitizens, is rare and that states are doing a good job of keeping noncitizens off voter lists. The Associated Press, in a report carried by multiple outlets, stated that the administration's focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrests and that experts say this shows it is rare.

### Centre

- Centre-rated reports highlighted the figures released by Homeland Security Investigations senior official Matthew Millhollin, stating that the Trump administration's effort to find and prosecute noncitizens illegally on state voter rolls has resulted in about 1,600 voter fraud cases leading to 160 arrests. These reports also noted that experts consider such cases to be rare. They mentioned that the numbers are far fewer than the hundreds of thousands of noncitizen voters the Trump administration had previously suggested were on the rolls. The reports included statements from David Becker, a former U.S. Justice Department attorney, who said voter fraud is rare and states are effective at preventing noncitizens from registering. Some centre-rated reports also mentioned that the Justice Department has charged 70 people since the start of the administration with unlawful voting and registration offenses.

### Right

- Right-rated reports focused on the number of arrests made in connection with noncitizen voter fraud investigations. Some reports stated that Homeland Security is investigating 1,620 cases of alleged voter fraud involving noncitizens, with one digest mentioning 151 arrests. These reports often framed the investigation as a response to claims that voter fraud is a myth, with one headline stating, 'They Said Voter Fraud Didn’t Exist'. Some right-rated digests mentioned that the Trump administration had previously suggested hundreds of thousands of noncitizen voters were on the rolls, but did not provide further detail on the discrepancy between this figure and the reported arrests. One report noted that Senate Republicans have been unable to pass the SAVE America Act over a Democrat filibuster.

**Provisional coverage gap:** left. The watch is not closed, so this is not yet a settled blindspot finding.

## Factuality profile of the covering outlets

These are published factuality ratings of the outlets, not a verdict on whether this story or its claims are true.

- veryLow: 2
- low: 4
- mixed: 10
- high: 13
- unknown: 4
- veryHigh: 12

## Verification scope

This page compares coverage and scores the source reporting. It is not a ClaimReview verdict on whether the underlying event or claim is true.

## Original reporting this was written from

- [The Savage Nation](https://michaelsavage.com/no-wonder-dem-dont-want-to-give-up-voter-rolls-dhs-investigating-300k-cases-for-voter-fraud-thanks-to-states-voter-rolls) — MichaelSavage.com – No Wonder Dem Don’t Want to Give up Voter Rolls: DHS Investigating 300K Cases for Voter Fraud, Thanks to States’ Voter Rolls
- [tippinsights](https://tippinsights.com/they-said-voter-fraud-didnt-exist-federal-authorities-make-wave-of-election-crime-arrests-ahead-of-midterms) — ‘They Said Voter Fraud Didn’t Exist’: Federal Authorities Make Wave Of Election Crime Arrests Ahead Of Midterms
- [The Gateway Pundit](https://thegatewaypundit.com/2026/09/no-wonder-dem-dont-want-give-voter-rolls) — No Wonder Dem Don’t Want to Give up Voter Rolls: DHS Investigating 300K Cases for Voter Fraud, Thanks to States’ Voter Rolls * The Gateway Pundit * by Brooklynn Robinson, The Western Journal
- [Political Wire](https://politicalwire.com/2026/09/23/trump-pursues-last-ditch-hunt-for-voter-fraud) — Trump Pursues Last-Ditch Hunt for Voter Fraud
- [News Facts Network](https://newsfactsnetwork.com/news/trump-administration-expands-voter-fraud-hunt-despite-sparse-evidence) — Trump Administration Expands Voter Fraud Hunt Despite Sparse Evidence
- [Axios](https://axios.com/2026/09/23/trump-voter-fraud-citizens) — Trump pursues last-ditch hunt for voter fraud
- [Clarin](https://clarin.com/estados-unidos/batida-del-gobierno-de-eeuu-contra-voto-de-no-ciudadanos-deriva-en-160-arrestos_0_Qd3KMGefxq.html) — U.S. Government Beat Against Non-Citizens Vote Leads to 160 Arrests
- [Independent Español](https://independentespanol.com/noticias/batida-del-gobierno-de-eeuu-contra-voto-de-no-ciudadanos-deriva-en-160-arrestos-b3054661.html) — U.S. Government Beat Against Non-Citizens Vote Leads to 160 Arrests
- [Marietta Daily Journal](https://mdjonline.com/news/national/administrations-focus-on-noncitizen-voting-has-led-to-160-arrests-experts-say-that-shows-its/article_1386e116-b368-5e68-8a87-e404739be4bb.html) — Administration's focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrests. Experts say that shows it's rare
- [The Northern Virginia Daily](https://nvdaily.com/associated_press_national/administrations-focus-on-noncitizen-voting-has-led-to-160-arrests-experts-say-that-shows-its/article_fb79eb6a-da14-5223-b6f2-21c46ee85c47.html) — Administration's focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrests. Experts say that shows it's rare
- [My Mother Lode](https://mymotherlode.com/news/national/general-election/11160883/administrations-focus-on-noncitizen-voting-has-led-to-160-arrests-experts-say-that-shows-its-rare.html) — Administration’s focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrests. Experts say that shows it’s rare
- [regionalmedianews.com](https://regionalmedianews.com/news/national/administrations-focus-on-noncitizen-voting-has-led-to-160-arrests-experts-say-that-shows-its-rare) — Administration’s focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrests. Experts say that shows it’s rare - Regional Media News
- [The Western Journal](https://westernjournal.com/no-wonder-dem-dont-want-give-voter-rolls-dhs-investigating-300k-cases-voter-fraud-thanks-states-voter-rolls) — No Wonder Dem Don't Want to Give up Voter Rolls: DHS Investigating 300K Cases for Voter Fraud, Thanks to States' Voter Rolls
- [The Record](https://troyrecord.com/2026/09/22/us-election-2026-noncitizen-voting) — Administration’s focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrests. Experts say that shows it’s rare
- [Internewscast](https://internewscast.com/local-news/noncitizen-voting-is-rare-despite-160-arrests-experts-say) — Noncitizen Voting Is Rare Despite 160 Arrests, Experts Say
- [Loonie Politics](https://looniepolitics.com/administrations-focus-on-noncitizen-voting-has-led-to-160-arrests-experts-say-that-shows-its-rare) — Administration’s focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrests. Experts say that shows it’s rare
- [Washington Top News](https://wtop.com/national/2026/09/trump-administrations-focus-on-noncitizen-voting-yields-160-arrests-experts-say-cases-remain-rare) — Trump administration’s focus on noncitizen voting yields 160 arrests. Experts say cases remain rare – WTOP News
- [Chronicle Online](https://chronicleonline.com/news/national/administrations-focus-on-noncitizen-voting-has-led-to-160-arrests-experts-say-that-shows-its/article_32c9f89d-7242-5c1c-a2e1-77b5ce314253.html) — Administration's focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrests. Experts say that shows it's rare
- [Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer](https://messenger-inquirer.com/ap/elections/administrations-focus-on-noncitizen-voting-has-led-to-160-arrests-experts-say-that-shows-its/article_941fc979-a50f-50d3-b96b-9cd63256b475.html) — Administration's focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrests. Experts say that shows it's rare
- [The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel](https://gjsentinel.com/news/us/administrations-focus-on-noncitizen-voting-has-led-to-160-arrests-experts-say-that-shows-its/article_97901326-508d-54f9-af6a-b66f8a61f0e6.html) — Administration's focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrests. Experts say that shows it's rare
- [Bozeman Daily Chronicle](https://bozemandailychronicle.com/wire/politics/administrations-focus-on-noncitizen-voting-has-led-to-160-arrests-experts-say-that-shows-its/article_92a53558-eff0-5dcb-a813-5c901a2449e2.html) — Administration's focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrests. Experts say that shows it's rare
- [plaindealerin.com](https://plaindealerin.com/news/wire/administrations-focus-on-noncitizen-voting-has-led-to-160-arrests-experts-say-that-shows-its/article_6774be97-7bd5-5d84-8ab8-6a7e60692d91.html) — Administration's focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrests. Experts say that shows it's rare
- [WBAL](https://wbal.com/trump-administrations-focus-on-noncitizen-voting-yields-160-arrests-experts-say-cases-remain-rare) — Administration's focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrest
- [Winnipeg Free Press](https://winnipegfreepress.com/world/2026/09/22/trump-administrations-focus-on-noncitizen-voting-yields-160-arrests-experts-say-cases-remain-rare) — Administration's focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrests. Experts say that shows it's rare
- [The Toronto Star](https://thestar.com/news/world/united-states/trump-administration-s-focus-on-noncitizen-voting-yields-160-arrests-experts-say-cases-remain-rare/article_2a7c59f2-ad56-5358-acd9-0b5e9413ec6a.html) — Administration’s focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrests. Experts say that shows it’s rare
- [The Seattle Times](https://seattletimes.com/nation-world/nation/trump-administrations-focus-on-noncitizen-voting-yields-160-arrests-experts-say-cases-remain-rare) — Administration’s focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrests. Experts say that shows it’s rare
- [Newsday](https://newsday.com/news/nation/noncitizen-voting-trump-administration-midterms-t38876) — Administration's focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrests. Experts say that shows it's rare
- [Associated Press News](https://apnews.com/article/noncitizen-voting-trump-administration-midterms-9cebf968f72e6209a09a5d4adce2c155) — Administration's focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrests. Experts say that shows it's rare
- [abc News](https://abcnews.com/Politics/wireStory/administrations-focus-noncitizen-voting-led-160-arrests-experts-136667964) — Administration's focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrests. Experts say that shows it's rare
- [MY Northwest](https://mynorthwest.com/national/trump-administrations-focus-on-noncitizen-voting-yields-160-arrests-experts-say-cases-remain-rare/4278847) — Trump administration's focus on noncitizen voting yields 160 arrests. Experts say cases remain rare
- [WKMG](https://clickorlando.com/news/politics/2026/09/22/trump-administrations-focus-on-noncitizen-voting-yields-160-arrests-experts-say-cases-remain-rare) — Administration's focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrests. Experts say that shows it's rare
- [News 4 JAX](https://news4jax.com/news/politics/2026/09/22/trump-administrations-focus-on-noncitizen-voting-yields-160-arrests-experts-say-cases-remain-rare) — Administration's focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrests. Experts say that shows it's rare
- [KXL](https://kxl.com/administrations-focus-on-noncitizen-voting-has-led-to-160-arrests-experts-say-that-shows-its-rare) — Administration's focus on noncitizen voting has led to 160 arrests. Experts say that shows it's rare
- [Tennessee Star](https://tennesseestar.com/justice/feds-arrest-indict-hundreds-in-trump-voter-fraud-crackdown-catching-it-all-over-the-country/jtnews/2026/09/22) — Feds Arrest, Indict Hundreds in Trump Voter Fraud Crackdown: ‘Catching It All over the Country’
- [BizToc](https://biztoc.com/x/c5fc94c6812cd7b3) — Mullin: DHS Investigating 1,620 Non-Citizen Voter Fraud Cases
- [The Daily Signal](https://dailysignal.com/2026/09/22/feds-160-election-fraud-arrests) — Feds Report 160 Election Fraud Arrests as Thousands of New Leads Pour In
- [Zero Hedge](https://zerohedge.com/political/mullin-dhs-investigating-1620-non-citizen-voter-fraud-cases) — Mullin: DHS Investigating 1,620 Non-Citizen Voter Fraud Cases
- [Real Clear Politics](https://realclearpolitics.com/2026/09/22/noncitizens_voting_in_elections_face_federal_charges_711783.html) — Noncitizens Voting in Elections Face Federal Charges
- [American Greatness](https://amgreatness.com/2026/09/22/mullin-dhs-investigating-1620-noncitizen-voter-fraud-cases) — Mullin: DHS Investigating 1,620 Noncitizen Voter Fraud Cases › American Greatness
- [Patriot Journal](https://patriotjournal.org/dhs-voting-elections) — DHS Investigates 1,620 Alleged Noncitizen Votes, Makes 151 Arrests and Reviews 300,000 More Cases
- [Breitbart](https://breitbart.com/politics/2026/09/21/trump-administration-has-made-151-voter-fraud-arrests-investigating-1620-additional-cases) — Trump Administration Probing 1,620 Cases of Voter Fraud
- [voz.us](https://voz.us/es/politica/260921/39284/dhs-investiga-1-620-casos-presunto-fraude-electoral.html) — DHS Investigates at Least 1,620 Cases of Alleged Electoral Fraud
- [[your]NEWS](https://yournews.com/2026/09/21/7201638/dhs-reviewing-more-than-300000-potential-illegal-voting-cases-mullin) — DHS Reviewing More Than 300,000 Potential Illegal Voting Cases, Mullin Says
- [The National Pulse](https://thenationalpulse.com/2026/09/21/dhs-is-investigating-1620-voter-fraud-cases-involving-noncitizens) — DHS is Investigating 1,620 Voter Fraud Cases Involving Noncitizens.
- [Just the News](https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/elections/department-homeland-security-investigating-1620-cases-alleged-voter-fraud) — Department of Homeland Security investigating 1,620 cases of alleged voter fraud, Mullin says

## Questions

**How many arrests were made in the Trump administration's voter fraud investigation?**

Homeland Security Investigations senior official Matthew Millhollin stated that the Trump administration's effort to find and prosecute noncitizens illegally on state voter rolls has resulted in about 1,600 voter fraud cases leading to 160 arrests. The Justice Department has also charged 70 people since the start of the administration with unlawful voting and registration offenses.

**What do experts say about noncitizen voting?**

Experts, including former U.S. Justice Department attorney David Becker, state that voter fraud, including by noncitizens, is rare. They also indicate that states are generally effective at preventing noncitizens from registering to vote, and that investigations into such fraud consistently yield very small numbers.

**Did the administration's findings match previous suggestions about noncitizen voters?**

No, the reported numbers fell far short of previous suggestions by the Trump administration that hundreds of thousands of noncitizens were on voter rolls. The initiative resulted in approximately 1,600 cases and 160 arrests, a fraction of the earlier estimates.

---

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