Today, Rep. Kevin Mullin, Co-Chair of the Taskforce on Strengthening Democracy, released the following statement in response to President Trump’s executive order that makes it harder for Americans to vote:

“President Trump just signed a dangerous executive order that would block millions of Americans from voting in future elections and would particularly affect our military members, their families, and married women. This illegal voter suppression tactic is another costly and reckless attempt to undermine free and fair democratic processes while leaving hard-working Americans footing the bill. Make no mistake, Trump’s action is an unlawful attempt to maintain unfettered power so he can continue strangling our democracy. The President wants to spend over $3 billion in taxpayer money on unnecessary voting restrictions, while handing over Americans’ personal information to an unelected billionaire, Elon Musk.

Trump’s order also infringes on the authority of states and localities to administer their elections. At its core, this order is an unnecessary and unlawful political maneuver designed to hand Trump’s extreme Republican party electoral victories for decades to come. Trump’s actions are distracting us from other threats to election integrity from overseas adversaries—threats he has consistently ignored or dismissed.

We cannot stand by idly while Trump threatens to delay elections and disenfranchise voters. I am outraged at this blatant and unlawful assault on our democracy, and confident that it will be struck down in court.”

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