Full story
Judge blocks citizenship voting rule
A federal judge permanently barred President Donald Trump’s administration from implementing most of his first executive order on elections, including a requirement that voters show documentary proof of citizenship when they register to vote.
“Federal judge bars Trump from implementing proof of citizenship requirement to vote A federal judge has permanently barred President Donald Trump’s administration from implementing most of his first executive order on elections A federal judge on Wednesday permanently barred President Donald Trump’s administration from implementing most of his first executive order on elections, part of which sought to require people to show documentary proof of citizenship when they register to vote”
U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper ruled that “The Constitution "does not grant the President any specific powers over elections,”” and rejected the administration’s argument that the lawsuit was premature because the rules had yet to be implemented.
The ruling effectively converts a preliminary injunction into a permanent ban, and ABC News said Casper’s decision also found Trump’s requirements violated the separation of powers.
In a statement, New York Attorney General Letitia James said she was grateful the court had blocked Trump’s “unconstitutional attempt to seize control of our elections,” and said she would continue to defend voting rights in this year’s midterm elections.
ABC News also reported that a separate challenge in Washington, D.C., had already blocked steps to include the proof-of-citizenship requirement on the federal voter registration form and later barred the Secretary of Defense from requiring documentary proof of citizenship for military personnel.
SAVE Act derails GOP agenda
Trump’s insistence on the “SAVE America Act” has collided with Republican leadership on Capitol Hill, with CNN reporting that Speaker Mike Johnson sent members home early on Thursday after a GOP rebellion over the elections overhaul bill.
Rep. Troy Nehls told CNN, “I’m flying home a day early because we couldn’t get our act together,” as outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie called Trump’s fixation on the voter ID and proof-of-citizenship bill a “distraction.”
CNN said the bill doesn’t have the votes to get to Trump’s desk, but Trump “won’t take no for an answer,” keeping pressure on House floor strategy and intraparty unity.
After a lengthy meeting with Trump at the White House on Thursday, Johnson told reporters he and Trump “are on exactly the same page,” while Trump urged MAGA allies in a Truth Social post: “No more grandstanding, please!”
NBC News reported that Trump abruptly canceled plans to sign a major bipartisan housing bill Wednesday, saying he would not do so until Congress passes the SAVE America Act, which he called “a National Emergency.”
Courts and Senate stalemate
Beyond the immediate court rulings, Votebeat reported that a federal judge blocked key pillars of Trump’s efforts to overhaul the 2026 elections, including centralized lists of adult citizens and giving the U.S. Postal Service “unprecedented authority over who can vote by mail.”
“WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump abruptly canceled his plans to sign a major, bipartisan housing bill Wednesday, saying he will not do so until Congress passes the SAVE America Act, a sweeping elections bill that has become a focal point of his second term”
Votebeat quoted U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani’s conclusion that “No law enacted by Congress delegates authority to control mail-in voting to USPS,” and said Talwani issued an injunction preventing enforcement of those provisions against 24 jurisdictions (23 states and the District of Columbia).
The same Votebeat report said the injunction applied only to this year’s elections, while the White House implied it would appeal, and it described the executive order as the second election-related one issued by Trump.
Meanwhile, ABC News said the U.S. Supreme Court is due to issue an opinion soon on whether mail ballots must arrive by Election Day, which could change rules in 14 states that allow grace periods ranging from days to weeks if ballots are postmarked by Election Day.
With the SAVE America Act still stalled in the Senate, WBMA reported that Republicans lack the 60 votes needed to overcome a Democratic filibuster, and it quoted Rep. Chip Roy saying, “The time for excuses is over. The time for action is now,” as the legislative fight continues alongside the court battles.
