Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Feb 20: US President Donald Trump renewed his call for mandatory voter identification and proof of citizenship, framing the measures as essential to protecting American democracy.

Speaking at a manufacturing plant in Rome, Georgia, Trump told supporters, “We want voter I.D. We want proof of citizenship,” and criticized Democrats for opposing the proposals. “The Democrats don’t want to give us voter ID because they want to cheat,” he said, dismissing claims that such requirements are discriminatory. “You know what they say, we don’t want voter ID because it’s racist,” he added.

Trump cited public opinion as backing the initiative, asserting, “When they look at the polls, 95% of the people want voter ID.” He also pushed for stricter controls on mail-in ballots, labeling them “crooked,” while noting exceptions for military personnel, the ill, disabled, or those temporarily away.

During the speech, Trump referenced a federal raid in Fulton County, Georgia, alleging ballots were seized and claiming Democrats sought to prevent public scrutiny. “They have the ballots. Why don’t they want them to see the ballots after all these years? Because they cheated,” he said.

Framing voter ID and citizenship proof as a long-term Republican priority, Trump declared, “Republicans have to win this one. We’ll never lose a race for 50 years.”

Election laws in the United States vary widely by state. Some require government-issued photo ID, others accept non-photo ID or affidavits, while proof-of-citizenship rules remain a subject of debate. Proponents argue such measures safeguard election integrity, whereas critics warn they may disenfranchise eligible voters who lack immediate access to documentation.