The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Feb. 26, 2026
In his State of the Union address to Congress, President Donald Trump pushed Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, now before the U.S. Senate and unlikely to pass. But to justify it, he repeated his unfounded claims of widespread noncitizen voting.
“And perhaps most importantly, I’m asking you to approve the Safe America Act, to stop illegal aliens and others who are unpermitted persons from voting in our sacred American elections, the cheating is rampant in our elections. It’s rampant. It’s very simple. All voters must show voter ID. All voters must show proof of citizenship in order to vote. And no more crooked mail-in ballots except for illness, disability, military or travel. None.”
There is NO evidence of widespread noncitizen voting or other election fraud in American elections. One in nine Americans don’t have ready access to citizenship documents, an estimated 69 million married women use a name different from their birth certificate, and only half of Americans have a valid U.S. Passport. In 2024, 30.3% of ballots cast were by mail, with no widespread abuse.
In a rare bipartisan moment, his call for passage of the Stop Insider Trading Act, preventing members of Congress from profiting from insider information, brought applause from both sides of the aisle.
We’ve linked to more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Associated Press – Full Transcript of President Trump’s State of the Union Speech
PBS News Hour – Video of President Trump’s State of the Union Speech
U.S. Congress – H.R.7296 – SAVE America Act
Brennan Center for Justice – New SAVE Act Bills Would Still Block Millions of Americans From Voting
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – An Amped Up SAVE Act, the SAVE America Act, Passes the U.S. House and Heads to the Senate. Its Restrictions Could Disenfranchise Millions.
American Democracy Minute – Americans Like Voting Early, and Other Lessons from the 2024 Election U.S. Election Assistance Commission Follow Up Report
Rock the Vote – The State of the Union: An Explainer
Groups Taking Action:
Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, ACLU
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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