Rep. Sarah McBride Accuses President Trump of Launching an “All-Out Assault” on American Elections
A major political clash erupted this week after Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE), the first openly transgender woman to serve in a state senate and now a member of Congress, sharply criticized President Donald Trump’s newly announced plans to overhaul the U.S. voting system.
In a statement posted on X, McBride warned that the president’s proposals — which include eliminating mail-in ballots and replacing voting machines with paper-only methods, amount to “an all-out assault on free and fair elections.”
McBride Responds to Trump’s Voting Proposal
“This president is taking cues from authoritarian leaders,” McBride wrote. “A president with strong, popular policies wouldn’t need to eliminate vote-by-mail or ban voting machines.
These proposals threaten not only the accessibility of our elections, but the foundations of American democracy itself.”
Her comments came after Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity that mail-in voting “cannot produce an honest election,” citing a conversation he said he had with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Election officials across the U.S., however, continue to affirm that widespread voter fraud has not been found in modern mail-in voting systems.
Trump Announces His Voting Reform Plan
On Monday, Trump expanded on his plans in a lengthy post on Truth Social. He said he intends to sign an executive order before the 2026 midterms that would:
End mail-in voting nationwide
Phase out electronic voting machines
Require watermark-verified paper ballots
Push states to follow federal instructions on vote counting
“I am going to lead a movement to get rid of mail-in ballots and extremely inaccurate voting machines,” Trump wrote, claiming — without evidence — that mail-in systems enable large-scale fraud.
Election experts note that multiple states and countries successfully use secure mail-in systems, and the U.S. has used absentee ballots for military and overseas voters for decades.
Democrats Push Back, Calling the Plan a Democratic Risk
McBride and other Democratic lawmakers argue that ending mail-in voting would disproportionately affect seniors, people with disabilities, rural communities, overseas voters, and millions who rely on absentee options.
“This isn’t about improving security,” McBride said. “It’s about limiting participation and giving more power to fewer people.”
The National Debate Intensifies
As the 2026 election cycle approaches, Trump’s plan has already ignited intense debate across both parties:
Republicans who support Trump believe paper-only systems increase confidence and transparency.
Democrats argue the proposal is unconstitutional and would restrict voting rights.
Election law experts say a president cannot unilaterally overrule how states administer elections, setting up a potential legal battle.
What Happens Next?
With Congress divided and legal questions looming, Trump’s proposal is expected to face immediate challenges if formally introduced.
For now, the exchange between McBride and Trump signals a major political showdown over how Americans will cast their ballots in the years ahead — and how each side defines the meaning of “election integrity.”
