By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-white-house-says-trump-was-referring-to-save-act-when-he-advocated-nationalizing-elections Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter WATCH: White House says Trump was referring to SAVE Act when he advocated nationalizing elections Politics Feb 3, 2026 3:23 PM EST White House press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that President Donald Trump's demand to "nationalize" elections was a reference to a piece of voting legislation. Watch the White House press briefing in the video player above. The White House spokeswoman tried to clarify the president's statements after they sparked an uproar. READ MORE: Thune throws cold water on Trump's call to 'nationalize' U.S. elections Trump on a podcast Monday called for Republicans to "take over" and "nationalize" elections. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. The comments came in the wake of an FBI raid on a Georgia election office that has been the target of Trump's often-debunked conspiracy theories to explain away his loss in the 2020 presidential election. Leavitt said Trump was referring to the SAVE Act, legislation tightening proof of citizenship requirements that some Republicans want to bring up for a congressional vote. House Republicans also introduced a second bill last week to change election procedures nationwide. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
White House press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Tuesday that President Donald Trump's demand to "nationalize" elections was a reference to a piece of voting legislation. Watch the White House press briefing in the video player above. The White House spokeswoman tried to clarify the president's statements after they sparked an uproar. READ MORE: Thune throws cold water on Trump's call to 'nationalize' U.S. elections Trump on a podcast Monday called for Republicans to "take over" and "nationalize" elections. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Enter your email address Subscribe Form error message goes here. Thank you. Please check your inbox to confirm. The comments came in the wake of an FBI raid on a Georgia election office that has been the target of Trump's often-debunked conspiracy theories to explain away his loss in the 2020 presidential election. Leavitt said Trump was referring to the SAVE Act, legislation tightening proof of citizenship requirements that some Republicans want to bring up for a congressional vote. House Republicans also introduced a second bill last week to change election procedures nationwide. A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now