Trump orders states to require proof of citizenship to vote, critics call it 'plainly illegal'

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday that will make providing proof of citizenship mandatory during the voter registration process.

Conservatives have long maintained that if one of the stipulations to vote in a United States election is to be a citizen of the country, it only makes sense to prove you are a citizen while registering to vote. This isn’t a take that has been well-received by the left, who will undoubtedly also be challenging this executive order.

According to the order, government-issued proof of citizenship must be provided on voter registration forms. State attorneys general are directed to enter into agreements with their state election officials in an effort to combat election fraud or other violations. Also, election funds from the federal government will be based on states complying with the conditions set forth in the order.

“Documentary proof of citizenship includes a U.S. passport, a REAL ID or military, state or federally-issued identification indicating American citizenship,” according to Fox News.

“There are other steps that we will be taking in the coming weeks. We think we’ll be able to end up getting fair elections,” the president said ahead of signing the order. “It’s an honor to sign this one. I sign all of them, but to sign this one is a great honor.”

The order accuses the United States of failing “to enforce basic and necessary election protections” in the past.

Leftist groups like the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University immediately began blasting the order on X.

BREAKING: This executive order would block tens of millions of American citizens from voting. Presidents have no authority to do this. This order, like the SAVE Act now before Congress, would hurt voters and suppress the vote. https://t.co/gUjiWgoty7

— Brennan Center (@BrennanCenter) March 25, 2025

Others fearmongered about how the EO might work:

To all the women that voted for Trump. His executive order today will eliminate 30% or more of you from voting. He is ordering that people show proof of citizenship. Birth certificates are not allowed, only Passports and some versions of RealID. If married, you will need to…

— larryhostawards (@larryhostawards) March 26, 2025

Trump signed an Executive Order today that would essential wrest control of elections from the states. It would required eligible voters to register through a federal process and provide proof of citizenship. The action will likely make voting harder and disenfranchise millions.

— Ray Loewe (@rloewe65) March 26, 2025

The order is plainly illegal. This is #Trump testing the waters to see if there’s a way to get away with it. Win or lose, you can bet this is only the first volley in a campaign to undermine free and fair elections.

Trump orders states to require proof of citizenship in federal…

— Mitchell Plitnick (@MJPlitnick) March 25, 2025

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