🗳️ Trump Threatens Executive Order to Mandate Voter ID

President Donald Trump said Friday he would issue an executive order requiring voter ID for the midterm elections if Congress fails to pass legislation he supports.

In a social media post, Trump wrote that if lawmakers cannot advance the bill, he would soon present legal justification “in the form of an Executive Order,” adding:

“There will be Voter I.D. for the Midterm Elections, whether approved by Congress or not!”

🏛️ Push to “Nationalize” Election Rules

Trump has urged Republicans to “nationalize” election administration, though the U.S. Constitution grants states authority over the “times, places and manner” of federal elections.

He continues to advocate for the SAVE America Act, legislation that would require photo identification nationwide and impose new restrictions on mail-in voting. The House passed the bill this week, with all Republicans voting in favor and Rep. Henry Cuellar the only Democrat supporting it.

⚖️ Constitutional Debate Intensifies

Legal scholars have questioned whether a president can unilaterally alter election procedures. Nate Persily of Stanford University stated that an executive order changing state-run election rules would likely be unconstitutional, emphasizing that only Congress has the authority to override state procedures.

He pointed to historical precedent, including the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which was enacted by Congress to establish nationwide voting protections.

🔎 What Happens Next?

The measure now faces uncertainty in the Senate, where it would require bipartisan support to overcome procedural hurdles.

If the president attempts to implement voter ID requirements through executive action, legal challenges would be expected, potentially setting up a major constitutional showdown over federal and state powers in election administration.

📌 Stay informed as Congress debates election reforms and legal experts weigh in on executive authority.