President Donald Trump has escalated his push for nationwide voter identification requirements, saying any senator who votes against the SAVE America Act should not be allowed to run for public office.
Speaking at the White House during the Women’s History Month event on Thursday, March 13, Trump questioned why lawmakers would oppose voter identification rules and suggested the only explanation would be an effort to cheat in elections.
“It’s hard to believe — it’s hard to believe we’re having a hard time. I think anybody that votes against it shouldn’t be allowed to run for office,” he said.
The comments come as the Senate prepares to consider the Republican-backed bill, which would require documentary proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.
Senate majority leader John Thune earlier on Thursday said the chamber will take up the SAVE America Act next week.
“Next week, I will bring the SAVE America Act to the floor. Senate Democrats will be forced to defend their outrageous positions on these issues and explain to the American people why common sense and the Democrat Party have parted ways.”
The bill, formally known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, previously passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a narrow margin and is now awaiting action in the U.S. Senate.
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If enacted, it would amend the National Voter Registration Act to require Americans to provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections.
Acceptable documentation would include a passport, a Real ID that confirms citizenship, or a government-issued photo ID paired with a certified birth certificate or naturalisation record.
Trump ties bill to broader election priorities
During his remarks, President Trump described the SAVE America Act as part of a broader set of election and social policy priorities.
He said the measures include voter identification requirements, proof of citizenship to vote, restrictions on transgender participation in women’s sports, limits on gender-affirming surgeries for minors, and tighter rules on mail-in voting.
“We don’t want to have mail-in voting, where the votes go. Where do they come from? We’re going to do that. It’s five things. They’re all 99 percent. They say that’s an 80 percent issue. Like voter ID. No, I think it’s a 99. I think the Democrats have it at 87 percent. The leadership doesn’t want it. Why don’t you want voter ID? There’s only one reason. Ready? Because you want to cheat. They blame it on all sorts of things,” Trump said.
The president further argued that support for voter identification is overwhelmingly strong among Americans, dismissing claims that such policies could suppress turnout.
“They said it’s racist. They came up with things that you have to say their imagination is great. No, we’re not going to let them cheat like they did in a certain election that we won’t talk about. But that election was — and they cheat now. Look, we’re not going to let it happen,” he added.
“We’re going to go get the Save America Act. Not the Save Act. Nobody knew what the Save Act meant. No, we’re not going to let them cheat as they did in a certain election that we won’t talk about.”
SAVE America Act faces steep Senate hurdle
Despite Republican backing, the legislation faces significant procedural obstacles in the Senate. Under current rules, most bills require 60 votes to overcome a filibuster, meaning Democrats could block the measure unless several members cross party lines.
Supporters say the proposal would strengthen election security and prevent non-citizens from registering to vote.
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Opponents, including many Democrats and voting rights groups, argue that requiring proof of citizenship could create new barriers for eligible voters who may not have immediate access to documentation.
The legislation has become a central part of the Republican Party’s election policy agenda ahead of the next U.S. midterms.
Trump has repeatedly called on lawmakers to pass nationwide voter identification rules, warning that he could pursue executive action if Congress fails to approve the bill.
