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Wednesday, Feb 04, 2026
Outside the box.
White House Says Trump Meant SAVE Act When Advocating ‘Nationalizing’ Elections
Administration clarifies president’s remarks on federalizing election oversight, linking them to proposed citizenship verification legislation
The White House has sought to clarify President Donald Trump’s recent call for Republicans to “nationalize” elections, asserting that he was referring to legislative efforts rather than an attempt to seize control of state voting systems.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the president’s comments on a podcast, in which he urged Republicans to “take over” voting in at least fifteen jurisdictions, were intended to highlight support for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or SAVE Act, a bill that would tighten proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration.
Leavitt said the president remains a staunch believer in the U.S. Constitution and acknowledged that election administration is primarily a state responsibility.
However, she explained that Trump’s emphasis on “nationalizing” elections was shorthand for his desire to see uniform standards passed by Congress—most notably the SAVE Act, which would mandate documentary evidence of citizenship and enforce stricter identification requirements.
She reiterated that measures such as voter identification are popular with the public and would help enhance confidence in electoral integrity.
The clarification comes after Trump’s remarks on a podcast interview provoked debate and concern about federal overreach.
The president claimed that Republicans should assert broader control over voting processes in certain states where he alleged, without presenting evidence, there had been irregularities.
Congressional supporters of the SAVE Act view the bill as a commonsense solution to strengthen voter eligibility verification, though critics warn it could impose unnecessary barriers to registration.
Senate Republican leadership, including Majority Leader John Thune, has distanced itself from the idea of federalising election administration, emphasising states’ constitutional authority to run elections while also expressing support for measures like the SAVE Act to tighten eligibility criteria.
The exchange reflects broader tensions within the party over how to address concerns about election security and voter confidence ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The president’s comments and subsequent White House explanation signal an effort to frame his position in terms of legislative goals rather than a fundamental shift in control over state electoral systems, amid ongoing debate over the balance between federal standards and state sovereignty in U.S. elections.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the president’s comments on a podcast, in which he urged Republicans to “take over” voting in at least fifteen jurisdictions, were intended to highlight support for the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, or SAVE Act, a bill that would tighten proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration.
Leavitt said the president remains a staunch believer in the U.S. Constitution and acknowledged that election administration is primarily a state responsibility.
However, she explained that Trump’s emphasis on “nationalizing” elections was shorthand for his desire to see uniform standards passed by Congress—most notably the SAVE Act, which would mandate documentary evidence of citizenship and enforce stricter identification requirements.
She reiterated that measures such as voter identification are popular with the public and would help enhance confidence in electoral integrity.
The clarification comes after Trump’s remarks on a podcast interview provoked debate and concern about federal overreach.
The president claimed that Republicans should assert broader control over voting processes in certain states where he alleged, without presenting evidence, there had been irregularities.
Congressional supporters of the SAVE Act view the bill as a commonsense solution to strengthen voter eligibility verification, though critics warn it could impose unnecessary barriers to registration.
Senate Republican leadership, including Majority Leader John Thune, has distanced itself from the idea of federalising election administration, emphasising states’ constitutional authority to run elections while also expressing support for measures like the SAVE Act to tighten eligibility criteria.
The exchange reflects broader tensions within the party over how to address concerns about election security and voter confidence ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The president’s comments and subsequent White House explanation signal an effort to frame his position in terms of legislative goals rather than a fundamental shift in control over state electoral systems, amid ongoing debate over the balance between federal standards and state sovereignty in U.S. elections.
