Trump Claims Voter ID Laws Key for GOP Success in Midterms, Criticizes Schumer’s Stance

On Monday, President Trump emphasized the importance of the SAVE America Act, asserting that its passage could be crucial for Republicans in the upcoming midterm elections. He also took the opportunity to criticize Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer for his opposition to the voter ID bill.

In a pointed remark, Trump labeled Schumer (D-NY) as a “horrible politician.” Schumer has been adamant that Senate Democrats will not back the bill, which mandates that Americans present proof of citizenship when registering to vote and require photo identification to cast a ballot.

During a House Republican retreat in Miami, Trump quipped, “He is now a Palestinian. Officially, he is registered as a Palestinian,” in reference to Schumer’s stance.

The Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) America Act passed the House last month, garnering unanimous support from Republicans and one Democrat who crossed party lines.

Praising the House Republicans, Trump lauded the measure as “common sense” and noted its overwhelming public support, as reflected in numerous polls favoring voter ID laws. “This is not complicated: voter identification,” he remarked, underscoring the straightforward nature of the bill.

“This is not complicated: voter identification,” the president said. 

However, the Save America Act faces a difficult challenge in the Senate, where it will need 60 votes to pass and the GOP only controls 53 seats. 

Trump suggested Democrats, like Schumer, are against the bill because they won’t be able to win elections with voter ID laws in place.   

“They’re doing everything possible because they know if we get this, they probably won’t win an election for 50 years,” the president argued. “Maybe longer.”

Democrats are going to “fight like hell,” opposing the SAVE America Act, Trump noted, “but boy, do they get killed.” 

The president said he’s seen polling showing 86% of Democrats support voter ID laws.

“Democrats are at 86%, except for the people that run the Democrat Party, because they want to try and win elections illegally,” he claimed. “It’s the only reason you vote against voter ID – because you want to cheat.” 

Trump feels so strongly about passing the SAVE America Act that he vowed Sunday to “not sign other Bills until this is passed.”

At a press conference Monday, the president dodged answering whether he would refuse to sign legislation to fund the Department of Homeland Security or installing Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) as DHS secretary if the SAVE America Act is not passed.

Schumer has referred to the bill as “Jim Crow 2.0,” arguing that It would “disenfranchise tens of millions of people.” 

“If Trump is saying he won’t sign any bills until the SAVE Act is passed, then so be it: there will be total gridlock in the Senate,” he warned.  “Senate Democrats will not help pass the SAVE Act under any circumstances.”