Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Trump Slams Supreme Court Over Mail-Ballot Restriction Ruling
The Supreme Court made a decision about how states can send mail-in ballots.
The court rejected the Trump administration’s attempt to change those rules before the midterm elections.
This means states can keep using the systems they have used for years.
Voting by mail had already started in some states.
President Trump strongly criticized the decision and said it was bad for Republicans.
He also said it could make cheating easier, but the article does not provide evidence supporting that claim.
A 2025 Brookings report said mail-voting fraud occurred in about four cases for every 10 million ballots.
Two justices, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, disagreed with the court’s order.
The Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s effort to restrict mail-in voting for this year’s midterm elections.
The emergency order, issued late Monday, allows states to continue sending mail ballots under their existing procedures.
Trump called the ruling “horrible” and “highly political,” saying it was a major setback for Republicans.
Trump claimed the decision could make election cheating easier, while a 2025 Brookings report found about four mail-voting fraud cases per 10 million ballots.
Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented, while Attorney General Todd Blanche said the administration would comply with the ruling.
- Who
- President Donald Trump, the Supreme Court of the United States, Attorney General Todd Blanche, and Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas.
- What
- The Supreme Court rejected the Trump administration’s effort to restrict mail-in voting for the midterm elections, prompting Trump to criticize the court.
- When
- The court issued its emergency order late Monday, and Trump responded Tuesday; voting had already begun in some states.
- Where
- The United States.
- Why
- The court determined that the proposed restrictions would most likely lose in court and that there was not enough time to implement changes for this year’s election.
Trump’s View
Reported Legal Effect
Mail-ballot restrictions
Trump’s View
Trump said the ruling was a major loss for Republicans and would make cheating by what he called the “Radical Left” easier.
Reported Legal Effect
The court’s order allows states to continue using their existing mail-ballot procedures for this year’s election.
Timing of the changes
Trump’s View
Trump blamed the court for taking too long to issue its decision and criticized the existing mail-voting system.
Reported Legal Effect
State election officials said there was not enough time to change their systems before the November 3 midterm elections and said their systems were secure and accurate.
Court independence and criticism
Trump’s View
Trump said the justices had issued repeatedly damaging and political rulings and argued that he had the right to criticize another branch of government.
Reported Legal Effect
Blanche defended Trump’s comments as part of the democratic process, while the article notes that Trump has repeatedly attacked judges who rule against his wishes.
- Court decision
- The Supreme Court rejected the administration’s bid to restrict mail ballots for the midterm elections.
- Practical effect
- States may continue sending mail ballots under procedures they have used for years.
- Trump’s response
- Trump called the ruling “horrible,” “highly political,” and damaging to America.
- Dissenting justices
- Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas publicly dissented from the emergency order.
- Administration response
- Attorney General Todd Blanche said the administration would comply with the decision.
- Mail voting
- Nearly one-third of U.S. voters cast their ballots by mail.
- Fraud data
- A 2025 Brookings report found about four mail-voting fraud cases per 10 million ballots.
