Trump disrespects California voters and those who fight for the right to vote, state leaders say

In his primetime address to the nation Thursday night, President Donald Trump once again called into question the validity of California’s elections to resurface his unfounded claims that the 2020 election was “stolen” from him.

The president used his speech to both attack the election processes in various states, including California, as well as push for the SAVE Act, restrictive voting laws that, if passed, would go into effect before this year’s Midterm Elections. In particular, he claimed that California’s voter rolls showed undocumented individuals were voting in federal elections, a claim that has been debunked many times.

“In California, election officials work every day to maintain accurate voter rolls and ensure that only eligible voters are registered,” California Secretary of State Shirley Weber said in a statement. “[The president’s] actions disrespect the United States Constitution, voters, election officials, thousands of dedicated volunteers and the generations of Americans who fought to secure and protect the fundamental right to vote.”

Doubling down on his attacks on California, a state that has overwhelmingly rejected his policies, the president claimed the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) found 278,000 noncitizens registered to vote, including in California. 

The president announced DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin would be instructing states to “fix” their voter rolls. On Friday, Mullin threatened jail time for officials who do not cooperate. 

Weber said in her statement that while California seeks to comply with federal law, “the information provided during the President's remarks and on the White House website, do not inspire any level of confidence in the methodology used or the conclusions reached.”

Governor Gavin Newsom said on social media that the speech was “the ramblings of a mad king” looking to disrupt the Midterms.

“Before a single vote has been cast, he’s already laying the groundwork to right this election and convince YOU not to trust the results if they don’t go his way,” Newsom wrote. In a separate video, Newsom called for the 25th Amendment, which allows for the removal of a president if they are deemed unfit to lead.

Trump also questioned in his speech why it took over a month to certify California’s June 2 primary results, and insinuated fraud, adding “I wonder what they were doing.”

Many experts, as well as California officials, have acknowledged the process is slow moving, but insist it is necessary to increase voter access and accurately count the state’s large number of votes.

In another unfounded election fraud claim, the president said “if you watched California and so many other places, mail-in ballots are inherently corrupt.” No widespread election fraud through mail-in ballots has ever been found.

The Supreme Court recently upheld mail-in voting laws in various states, including California. The president has voted by mail in both 2020 and 2026.

“No amount of lies and conspiracy theories can change what’s been proven time and again: our elections are safe, secure and accurate,” said Xavier Becerra, the former California attorney general now running for governor. “The president’s speech tonight was designed to intimidate and silence voters, tearing at the very fabric of our democracy.”