Trump Issues Executive Order Mandating U.S. Citizenship Proof for Federal Voting Registration
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A presidential executive order signed Thursday requires all individuals registering to vote in federal elections to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, sparking immediate debate among lawmakers and civil rights groups. The directive, announced at a White House press briefing, instructs federal agencies to update voter registration forms within 90 days and mandates states to verify citizenship status using government databases or risk losing federal election funding. Attorney General Merrick Garland stated the Department of Justice will review the order for constitutional compliance, while critics argue it could disenfranchise eligible voters. The order also establishes a task force to investigate alleged noncitizen voting, a practice that studies show is rare. Implementation is scheduled to begin ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.