Iowa State Courts Reclaim Trump’s ‘Election Interference’ Lawsuit

President Donald Trump secured a significant legal win concerning his lawsuit against pollster J. Ann Selzer and the Des Moines Register. On a recent Friday, the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in his favor, returning the case to Iowa state court. This decision came after the court determined that a federal judge had overstepped jurisdiction by initially taking the case.

Iowa State Courts to Address Trump’s Lawsuit

Trump’s legal team had been advocating for the case to stay within the Iowa state system since May. The situation arose when a federal judge, appointed by former President Barack Obama, moved the case back into federal jurisdiction. The Eighth Circuit’s ruling allows Trump to reinitiate his lawsuit at the state level.

Background of the Lawsuit

This lawsuit, originally filed in December 2024, focuses on allegations of election interference. Trump accuses pollster Selzer and the Des Moines Register of attempting to sway the presidential election in favor of Vice President Kamala Harris through a poll conducted shortly before the election. This poll suggested Harris had a slight lead—three points—just days ahead of the elections.

Despite these findings, Trump won Iowa decisively with a margin of over 13 points. His team contends that the poll aimed to mislead voters by creating an impression of momentum for Harris’s campaign.

Reactions from Defendants

• Bob Corn-Revere, attorney for Selzer, noted that the Eighth Circuit’s decision was a narrow technical ruling. He emphasized it does not impact the substance of the allegations.
• Lark-Marie Anton, a spokesperson for Gannett (owner of the Des Moines Register), expressed confidence that the federal courts remain the proper venue for the lawsuit, while also reassured of a fair resolution.

Next Steps for Trump

With the Eighth Circuit ruling, Trump’s lawsuit returns to Iowa state court, allowing him to pursue his claims regarding alleged electoral interference. Although this ruling does not validate the allegations, it is a procedural victory that enables him to take further action against what he describes as attempts to disrupt the 2024 election.