A Reagan-appointed federal judge has just thrown a major wrench into President Donald Trump’s plan to secure America’s elections — blocking his order that would require proof of U.S. citizenship for federal voter registration.
⚖️ A Reagan Appointee Turns on Trump
U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, appointed by President Ronald Reagan and later elevated by Bill Clinton, sided with Democrat-aligned groups who argued that President Trump had “no authority” to require voter citizenship verification.
The 82-year-old judge — long known for rulings against election reform — declared Trump’s directive unconstitutional, claiming that only Congress and state governments can change federal voting rules.
“Because our Constitution assigns responsibility for election regulation to the States and to Congress, this Court holds that the President lacks the authority to direct such changes,” Kollar-Kotelly wrote.
Her decision permanently blocks the U.S. Election Assistance Commission from enforcing Trump’s order — a stunning defeat for those demanding tougher election integrity standards.
🚨 Major Blow to Election Integrity Efforts
The Trump administration had argued the rule was a commonsense measure to ensure that only American citizens vote in U.S. elections.
But Democrats — and now a Reagan-appointed judge — have stopped it cold.
White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson blasted the ruling, saying:
“President Trump acted fully within his constitutional authority to make sure that only American citizens are voting in American elections. It’s such a basic, commonsense safeguard that only the Democrat Party would try to challenge it in court. We’re confident that a higher court will ultimately uphold it.”
Conservatives across the country are calling this a deeply disappointing betrayal by a judge from their own side of the aisle.
💬 Trump Responds with Fury
President Trump responded personally on Truth Social, warning Americans about the ongoing threat to honest elections:
“The 2020 Presidential Election, being Rigged and Stolen, is a far bigger SCANDAL. No mail-in or early voting — Yes to Voter ID! Get smart, Republicans, before it’s too late!”
The President compared the current situation to “cheating on elections,” saying it’s one of the biggest scandals in U.S. history.
🏛️ Congress Takes Action to Protect Voting Integrity
While Trump’s legal team reviews appeal options, Republican lawmakers are pushing forward with the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which would require proof of citizenship nationwide for federal elections.
The bill passed the House earlier this year but is stalled in the Democrat-controlled Senate — where party leaders are refusing to bring it to a vote.
Conservatives say the ruling highlights exactly why the SAVE Act is needed — to stop non-citizen voting, close mail-in loopholes, and finally restore faith in America’s elections.
🇺🇸 Bottom Line
This latest ruling shows how deep the resistance runs — even from Republican appointees — against President Trump’s efforts to clean up the electoral system.
But Trump supporters remain confident: “The truth always wins,” one voter posted online.
The battle for secure, fair, and transparent elections is far from over — and millions of Americans are standing behind President Trump as he fights to defend America’s vote.