Federal judge permanently bans Trump from implementing proof of citizenship to vote * WorldNetDaily * by Joe Kovacs
U.S. District Court Judge Denise Casper
A federal judge on Wednesday permanently banned President Donald Trump from implementing his executive order requiring proof of citizenship when people register to vote.
The ruling came from Obama-appointed Denise J. Casper, chief judge of the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, who decided the Constitution “does not grant the President any specific powers over elections.”
BREAKING: Boston-based federal judge Denise Casper (Obama appointee) has just issued a sweeping order that bans the Trump administration from implementing most of its federal voter ID executive orders, including a proof of citizenship requirement. Judge Casper concluded the… pic.twitter.com/jAMqNhLol0
— Bill Melugin (@BillMelugin_) June 24, 2026
The U.S. Justice Department is expected to appeal the ruling forthwith.
The Associated Press in Boston reports: “A federal judge on Wednesday permanently barred President Donald Trump’s administration from implementing most of his first executive order on elections, part of which sought to require people to show documentary proof of citizenship when they register to vote.
“The ruling … effectively converts a preliminary injunction she issued a year ago, in which she temporarily blocked many of Trump’s efforts to overhaul elections, into a permanent ban.
“Casper rejected the administration’s argument that the lawsuit to block the changes brought by Democratic state attorneys general was premature because the rules had yet to be implemented. Instead, she agreed that the Constitution gives states and Congress the authority to regulate elections, and that Trump’s requirements violated the separation of powers.”
In March 2025, Trump signed Executive Order 14248: Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections, in which he stated: “Free, fair, and honest elections unmarred by fraud, errors, or suspicion are fundamental to maintaining our constitutional Republic. The right of American citizens to have their votes properly counted and tabulated, without illegal dilution, is vital to determining the rightful winner of an election.”
(Official White House photo by Molly Riley)
“Under the Constitution, State governments must safeguard American elections in compliance with Federal laws that protect Americans’ voting rights and guard against dilution by illegal voting, discrimination, fraud, and other forms of malfeasance and error. Yet the United States has not adequately enforced Federal election requirements that, for example, prohibit States from counting ballots received after Election Day or prohibit non-citizens from registering to vote.
“Above all, elections must be honest and worthy of the public trust. That requires voting methods that produce a voter-verifiable paper record allowing voters to efficiently check their votes to protect against fraud or mistake. Election-integrity standards must be modified accordingly.”
On Wednesday, as WorldNetDaily reported, Trump canceled the signing of a bipartisan housing bill, trying to light a fire under lawmakers in Congress to pass the SAVE America Act protecting elections with proof of ID and citizenship, calling it a “national emergency.”
He said on Truth Social: “Today’s Housing News Conference and Signing is hereby cancelled until such time as we pass the desperately needed SAVE AMERICA ACT, which I consider to be a National Emergency. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”
The president then went to Capitol Hill to personally urge Republicans in Congress to pass the act, and upon leaving, he spoke briefly with reporters, despite Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s effort to bypass the news media.
Thune clearly wants to walk past reporters but Trump puts a hand on him, stops, and says, “the war is going very well. We are winning by a lot.” pic.twitter.com/FdjZuxNinP
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 24, 2026
🚨 BREAKING: Behind closed doors President Trump just told John Thune at the GOP lunch to BE A LEADER and GET THE VOTES to pass the SAVE America Act — MSNOW
47 even floated Mike Lee’s proposal for a talking filibuster to get it done 🔥
It’s simple: NO EXCUSES, NO DELAYS, START… pic.twitter.com/T3SUkbmk3I
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 24, 2026
Reacting to Wednesday’s court ruling, New York Attorney General Letitia James told AP she was grateful the court had blocked Trump’s “unconstitutional attempt to seize control of our elections” and would continue to defend voting rights in this year’s midterm elections.
“Generations of Americans fought tirelessly for the right to vote, and we honor their legacy by protecting that right against anyone who tries to undermine it,” she said.
Follow Joe on X @JoeKovacsNews
