(WND)—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.”
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.”
“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.”
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.
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