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By Peter Aitken and Mandy Taheri
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President Donald Trump on Friday posted multiple times on Truth Social about the need for voter identification (ID) as the nation hurtles towards this year's midterms, warning he will enact policy to mandate voter ID "whether approved by Congress or not."
He subsequently revealed that he plans to enact these reforms through executive order if Congress doesn't pass voter ID laws.
Newsweek reached out to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, by email on Friday afternoon for comment.
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Why It Matters
Trump has repeated voter fraud claims over the years, especially during elections in which he has been a presidential candidate. He has recently intensified his efforts to undermine the results of the 2020 election, which he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. He has repeated disproven theories that ballots were altered or stolen and that illegal migrants were allowed to cast votes in some states that he lost six years ago.
The focus on election integrity comes as politicians and candidates are gearing up for the 2026 midterm elections, with Democrats working to gain seats two years after Trump returned to the White House, and Republicans aiming to hold their majority in both chambers.
One measure Trump has pursued is the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which House Republicans passed this week, although it is expected to meet staunch resistance in the Senate, where Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska already has stated her opposition to the measure.
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What To Know
In his first post on Truth Social, the president accused Democrats of wanting to "continue to cheat in elections," reiterating his claims of fraud that he has pushed since the 2020 presidential election.
However, he revealed he has "searched the depths of Legal Arguments not yet articulated or vetted on this subject, and will be presenting an irrefutable one in the very near future."
"Also, he People of our Country are insisting on Citizenship, and No Mail-In Ballots, with exceptions for Military, Disability, Illness, or Travel," the president wrote.
He then followed up with a much longer post that insisted "we cannot let the Democrats get away with NO VOTER I.D. any longer."
"If it weren’t such a serious matter, it would be considered a TOTAL JOKE!" Trump added. "No Voter I.D. is even crazier, and more ridiculous, than Men playing in Women’s Sports, Open Borders, or Transgender for Everyone. Republicans must put this at the top of every speech."
He dismissed criticism that his voter reform push is "racist," and claimed that "even Democrat Voters agree, 85%, that there should be Voter I.D."
"This is an issue that must be fought, and must be fought, NOW! If we can’t get it through Congress, there are Legal reasons why this SCAM is not permitted," Trump wrote. "I will be presenting them shortly, in the form of an Executive Order."
He then accused Democrats of wanting to create two new states, wanting to "PACK THE COURT" to increase the total number of Supreme Court justices to 21, "immediately move to terminate the Filibuster"—a move he has championed in the past—and that "our country will never be the same if they allow these demented and evil people to knowingly, and happily destroy it."
Did Congress Pass the SAVE Act?
The SAVE Act is a Republican-backed bill that would require documented proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate, when registering to vote in federal elections.
The measure would amend the National Voter Registration Act to bar states from processing registrations without such proof, mandate ongoing efforts to remove noncitizens from voter rolls, and expand federal oversight of election administration.
Supporters of the bill, including House Republican leaders and Trump, argue it's a necessary safeguard against noncitizen voting, while Democrats and some Republicans warn it could disenfranchise eligible voters and intrude on states’ constitutional authority over elections.
The SAVE Act passed the House in a narrow 218–213 vote, with all Republicans and one Democrat supporting it. In the Senate, however, the bill faces steep odds. Democrats are unified in opposition and at least one Republican senator has publicly rejected it, meaning it lacks the necessary 60 votes to overcome a filibuster.
What Happens Next
As of now, the SAVE Act has not been scheduled for a Senate vote and remains stalled, while Trump has not revealed when he will announce his plans to enforce voter ID.
Update 2/13/26, 6:20 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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