Atlas Aegis posted on its Facebook page that it is seeking former Special Operators to work as armed security guards for the November elections and post-election period. They would be stationed in polling stations in Minneapolis and St. Paul. The Facebook post has since been removed.

The post said the agents who are hired would “protect election polls, local businesses and residences from looting and destruction.” It noted that it is anticipated the job will “last well beyond the elections with 15 to 30 days of work.” The “Antifas” were cited as the apparent reason behind guarding the polling places.

Anthony Caudle, co-founder and chairman of Atlas Aegis said that the client who’s seeking the security guards is a “consortium of business owners and concerned citizens” in Minnesota. The consortium is worried that the rioting and destruction that happened following the death of George Floyd on May 25 by now-former Minneapolis police officers will happen again at the polling places.

Caudle said he wants to hire U.S. military personnel because they have experience in defusing situations; they won’t be seen unless there’s “an issue;” and their presence would not intimidate voters. “They’re there for protection, that’s it. They’re there to make sure that the Antifas don’t try to destroy the election sites.”

According to the company’s website, “Atlas Aegis offers the most comprehensive range of risk management services.” “[Our company is comprised of] Delta Force, Green Berets, Navy SEALs, Army Rangers. Our team has served on the world’s most elite special operations units. Today, we provide unprecedented protection for our clients’ people, assets, and image.”

We have partnered with them on multiple executive-level security details and can say without a doubt that they are second to none. Every agent and medic has been professional, courteous, and devoted to providing the highest standard of coverage.

In response, Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon said, “It’s not a good use of people’s time and money to arm themselves or others at or near a polling place… It’s not helping … Law enforcement on the state and federal level, with whom we are in constant touch, have a good handle on the situation.”

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison released a statement asking the company to cease and desist, emphasizing that their presence at polling places would violate state and federal law. “I join the Secretary of State and election authorities in strongly discouraging this unnecessary interference in Minnesota’s elections, which we have not asked for and do not welcome,” Ellison said.

On October 9th, 2020, Minneapolis Elections & Voter Services tweeted that they had already collected a total of 68,650 ballots.

President Trump recently suggested deploying law enforcement officials to polling sites. According to the Washington Post, this would raise the “specter of intimidation.”

Reporter Charles Pierce from Esquire also voiced his opposition. He believes that the upcoming elections are devolving into something out of “Gangs of New York.”

It is important to note that it is illegal by federal law for anybody (yes, that includes local and federal law enforcement) to even approach, engage, question any voter. If you are approached or questioned, don’t respond; report to a poll worker.