President Donald Trump says he will not sign any new legislation unless Congress first passes the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, widely known as the SAVE Act, with additional provisions targeting transgender people. The bill, which would significantly tighten voter registration requirements in the United States, has already passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is currently awaiting approval in the U.S. Senate.
On his platform, Truth Social, Trump said, “Go for the gold: must show voter I.D. & proof of citizenship: no mail-in ballots except for military – illness, disability, travel: no men in women’s sports: no transgender mutilization for children! do not fail!!!” The SAVE Act would require voters to present photo identification to register for federal elections. Those without ID could be required to provide documents such as a birth certificate. Voting rights advocates argue the measure could impact tens of millions of eligible voters who may not have easy access to those documents. Neither of the anti-trans provisions mentioned in Trump’s post currently appears in the bill’s text.
Any such measures would need to be added through amendments and then approved again by both chambers of Congress. Meanwhile, Chuck Schumer, leader of Senate Democrats, strongly criticized the legislation. Calling the bill “Jim Crow 2.0,” Schumer wrote on Twitter, “Senate Democrats will not help pass the SAVE Act under any circumstances.” He also warned of total gridlock in the Senate if Trump refuses to sign other legislation.
