Democrats Sue Trump Administration Over US Election Executive Order

The Democratic Party has filed a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump’s administration, challenging an executive order they claim could disenfranchise eligible voters and undermine democratic processes.

The lawsuit, submitted Monday in a federal court in Washington, D.C., argues that Trump’s March 25 order exceeds presidential authority by mandating proof of U.S. citizenship for voters, barring states from counting mail-in ballots received after Election Day, and threatening to withhold federal funding from states that fail to comply.

“The Executive Order seeks to impose radical changes on how Americans register to vote, cast a ballot, and participate in our democracy — all of which threaten to disenfranchise lawful voters and none of which is legal,” the lawsuit states, according to Reuters.

Legal experts suggest that Trump’s order may face significant constitutional hurdles. According to Richard Hasen, a law professor at the University of California, Irvine, “The U.S. Constitution vests the regulation of federal elections primarily in Congress and state governments, not the executive branch. This order appears to be an overreach of presidential power.”

The lawsuit was filed by Democratic election attorney Marc Elias and his legal team, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also listed as plaintiffs.

Trump has repeatedly cast doubt on the integrity of the electoral system and continues to assert, without evidence, that widespread voter fraud contributed to his 2020 election loss to President Joe Biden. His administration and Republican allies have long made unsubstantiated claims about non-citizens voting illegally, despite studies showing no significant evidence of such occurrences.

“This is part of a broader pattern of efforts to restrict voting rights under the guise of election security,” said Wendy Weiser, director of the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice.

“Historically, policies that impose stricter voting requirements disproportionately affect marginalized communities, including minorities, low-income voters, and the elderly.”

Republican lawmakers, on the other hand, have defended the order, arguing it is necessary to prevent foreign interference in U.S. elections.

“Election integrity should be a bipartisan priority, and ensuring that only eligible citizens vote is a fundamental safeguard,” said Senator Josh Hawley, a vocal supporter of Trump’s election policies.

The lawsuit argues that the executive order undermines the authority of states and Congress in regulating federal elections, setting the stage for a landmark legal battle that could define the limits of presidential power over election rules.

In a related legal challenge, voting rights organizations such as the Campaign Legal Center and the State Democracy Defenders Fund also filed a separate lawsuit Monday, contesting the executive order’s legality.

“This case has the potential to be a significant test of executive authority, especially as we approach the next election cycle,” said Edward Foley, an election law scholar at Ohio State University. “Depending on how the courts rule, this could either reinforce or severely restrict the ability of future presidents to unilaterally alter election regulations.”

The White House has yet to respond to the legal challenge. However, Trump’s legal team is expected to vigorously defend the executive order, potentially escalating the matter to the Supreme Court.