Washington, D.C. — President Donald Trump on Friday warned that he may bypass Congress to impose new voting reforms nationwide, including a photo ID requirement, as his Republican Party faces potential losses in the November midterm elections.
Trump took to his Truth Social platform to declare, “There will be Voter I.D. for the Midterm Elections, whether approved by Congress or not!” He added that he would soon issue an executive order if lawmakers fail to pass legislation mandating voter ID and other election security measures.
The Push for Federal Election Reform
The announcement comes after the Trump-backed “SAVE America” election reform act passed the Republican-controlled House of Representatives earlier this week. The bill would require proof of citizenship to register to vote and a government-issued photo ID to cast a ballot nationwide.
However, with a slim Republican majority in the Senate, the legislation is expected to fail without Democratic support, forcing Trump to consider alternative measures to advance his agenda.
“There are legal reasons why this SCAM is not permitted,” Trump wrote, referring to the possibility of issuing the executive order.
Critics Warn of Disenfranchisement
Election experts and civil rights groups have warned that the reforms could disenfranchise millions of Americans, particularly young voters and ethnic minorities.
A Brennan Center analysis found that more than 21 million Americans lack easy access to documents such as passports or birth certificates, which would be required to obtain a voter ID under the proposed law.
“There is no evidence of meaningful voter fraud,” said the center. “Measures like this would make it harder, not easier, for Americans to cast their ballots.”
Constitutional and Legal Hurdles
Under the U.S. Constitution, states retain broad control over the administration of elections, raising questions about Trump’s ability to enforce a federal mandate through executive action. Any such move would almost certainly face legal challenges that could reach the Supreme Court.
Despite these hurdles, Trump has repeatedly signaled his willingness to override traditional norms in pursuit of election security measures. He continues to claim, without evidence, that widespread fraud occurred in the 2020 presidential election, a claim widely debunked by multiple federal investigations.
Stakes Ahead for Republicans
The timing of Trump’s warning underscores the political stakes for Republicans in the 2026 midterms. Polls indicate that the party’s narrow control of Congress is at risk, particularly in the House of Representatives. Democrats have vowed to block Trump’s agenda if they regain a majority and could even pursue impeachment proceedings.
Trump’s aggressive push for federal election reform reflects both his focus on voter ID laws and the broader MAGA strategy to consolidate electoral influence in the lead-up to November.
