Trump takes new action: to issue an executive order requiring voters nationwide to provide identification

Caixin February 14 News (Editor: Zhou Ziyi) President Donald Trump of the United States announced on Friday (February 13) that he will soon issue an executive order requiring nationwide voter identification, prohibiting non-citizens from voting, and clarifying the legal basis for implementing this requirement.

Later on Friday evening, Trump posted on Truth Social expressing his hope to implement voter ID laws in the 2026 midterm elections. Currently, the relevant legislative proposal has passed the House of Representatives but appears to be stalled in the Senate.

In response, Trump pointed out, “Democrats will definitely refuse to support voter ID or citizenship laws. The reason is simple—they want to continue cheating in elections.”

Trump continued, “I have thoroughly studied the legal arguments related to this issue that have not yet been proposed or reviewed, and soon I will present an irrefutable argument. Voter identification will be in place during the midterm elections, whether Congress approves it or not!”

Trump’s tough stance on voter identification has dominated social media and sparked widespread reactions within Congress.

His remarks have also raised concerns among Democrats and voting rights organizations, who worry that the president might attempt to interfere in this crucial midterm election, as Republicans are trying to maintain their slim majority in both chambers.

The Senate May Encounter Obstacles

Recently, Trump proposed bringing election voting rights under federal unified management and reigniting conspiracy theories about “election fraud.” As the 2026 midterm elections approach, Trump continues to spread various claims about the U.S. electoral process.

On Wednesday (February 11), the House of Representatives passed a proposed election legislation supported by Trump with a vote of 218 to 213. Called the “Save America Act,” it requires voters to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote and to show identification at the polls.

All but one Democrat opposed the proposal. Critics argue that this bill could disenfranchise millions of voters.

After passing the House, the proposal has been sent to the Senate. To pass in the Senate, it would need 60 votes to overcome a filibuster.

Currently, Republicans hold only 53 seats in the Senate, and among them, Alaska Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski has expressed opposition to the bill. Among Democrats, only Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman supports nationwide voter ID requirements, but he stated in an interview this week that he does not support other voting restrictions such as limiting mail-in ballots.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer vowed that Democrats will firmly oppose the bill, calling it “destined to fail as soon as it is introduced.”

Schumer stated in the Senate this week, “The ‘Save America Act’ is not a mainstream bill at all. It is just a fringe legislative proposal, now controlled by the Republicans, ostensibly under the banner of election security, but in reality preparing to interfere with the midterm elections and making voting more difficult for the public.”