The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Feb. 2, 2026
A federal court blocked more of President Donald Trump’s March 2025 executive order on elections January 30th. It may seem like Groundhog Day, because it’s the President’s sixth defeat on the elections order, invalidating most of it.
DC Circuit Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly issued permanent injunctions on two more parts of the president’s order entitled, “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections.” She ruled that federal agencies are blocked from determining citizenship prior to the issuance of a federal voter registration form. She wrote, “Put simply, our Constitution does not allow the President to impose unilateral changes to federal election procedures,” UNQUOTE.
The independent agency U.S. Election Assistance Commission administers that form as directed by Congress, not the President.
Kollar-Kotelly also blocked the Trump administration’s requirement for documentary proof of citizenship to obtain a federal-only ballot, another congressionally-controlled and state administered document.
She later continued, “In matters of election procedures, the Constitution assigns Congress the power to preempt State regulations. The Constitution assigns no direct role to the President in either domain,” UNQUOTE.
We’ve linked the President’s executive order and the judge’s order blocking portions of it, at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
The White House – Executive Order: PRESERVING AND PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF AMERICAN ELECTIONS
U.S. Congress – U.S. Constitution ArtI.S4.C1.2 States and Elections Clause
The Brennan Center – Explainer on The President’s Executive Order on Elections
American Democracy Minute – (March 2025) New Trump Executive Order Attempts to Bypass Congress & States to Require Proof of Citizenship Documents & Mandate Election Deadlines
American Democracy Minute – (Sept. 2025) Legal Action by States Can Move Forward Against Trump’s Restrictive Executive Order on Elections, Says Federal District Judge
American Democracy Minute – (Nov. 2025) Federal Court in DC Issues Permanent Injunction on Part of Trump Executive Order on Elections; No to Changing Federal Registration Form
American Democracy Minute – (Jan. 13) Trump’s Executive Order on Elections Handed Another Defeat, as Federal Court Upholds a State’s Right to Set Ballot Deadlines, Choose Methods
Groups Taking Action:
Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, League of Women Voters US, National Partnership for New Americans
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
Please follow us on Facebook and Bluesky Social, and SHARE!
Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org
Want ADM sent to your email? Sign up here!
Are you a radio station? Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network’s Audioport and PRX
#News #Democracy #DemocracyNews #ExecutiveOrder #DonaldTrump #StoptheSteal #VoterSuppression #ElectionsClause