Trump Signs Order Mandating Proof of Citizenship for Federal Voters
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring individuals to provide government-issued proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote. The order also mandates that all federal election ballots be reviewed by Election Day.
According to the directive, voter registration forms must now include official proof of citizenship. It also instructs the attorney general to create information-sharing agreements with state election officials to detect instances of election fraud or other violations. Additionally, federal funding for elections will now be tied to state compliance with federal election integrity standards.
“There are other steps that we will be taking in the coming weeks,” Trump said just before signing the order. “We think we’ll be able to end up getting fair elections.”
“It’s an honor to sign this one. I sign all of them, but to sign this one is a great honor,” Trump remarked, in what some interpreted as a jab at his predecessor, Joe Biden, whose use of an autopen for signing official documents has drawn scrutiny.
The order asserts that the U.S. has failed “to enforce basic and necessary election protections.”
Left-wing critics were quick to condemn the decision, repeating familiar Democratic claims that it would “disenfranchise” voters.
“This executive order would block tens of millions of American citizens from voting,” the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University posted on X. “Presidents have no authority to do this. This order, like the SAVE Act now before Congress, would hurt voters and suppress the vote.”
The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, backed by Republicans, proposes significant changes to voter registration requirements, including proof of citizenship. Most Democrats oppose the measure, arguing it restricts voting rights.
Accepted documentation for proof of citizenship includes a U.S. passport, a REAL ID, or military and state or federally issued identification verifying American citizenship.
The executive order emphasizes the importance of “free, fair, and honest elections unmarred by fraud, errors, or suspicion,” stating that these principles are “fundamental to maintaining our constitutional Republic.” It also criticizes the failure to uphold federal election rules, such as the prohibition on counting ballots received after Election Day and the ban on non-citizens registering to vote.
To enforce these measures, Trump directed the Election Assistance Commission to update the federal voter registration form to require government-issued proof of citizenship. The order further aims to prevent states from counting mail-in ballots arriving after Election Day.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is preparing to launch a new agency called the “External Revenue Service,” which will focus on collecting tariffs. This initiative is expected to play a key role in efforts to replace the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
During a Cabinet meeting on Monday, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick expressed enthusiasm about April 2, a date Trump has labeled “liberation day” for the United States. Lutnick confirmed that plans for the External Revenue Service were moving forward, though he did not clarify whether the agency would officially commence operations on that day.
According to the administration, establishing this new agency aligns with Trump’s trade agenda and is intended to accelerate tariff collection. Officials claim the additional revenue will allow for lower taxes on Americans and expedite the elimination of the IRS, which currently serves as the government’s primary tax-collecting agency, as reported by Newsweek.
However, since Congress originally created the IRS, dissolving it would likely require legislative action. Lawmakers could also opt to defund the agency instead.
During his inauguration, Trump stated that the External Revenue Service would handle the collection of “all tariffs, duties, and revenues,” adding that the U.S. would “begin charging those that make money off of us with Trade, and they will start paying, FINALLY, their fair share.”