An Obama-appointed federal judge, Denise J. Casper, has struck down significant sections of President Donald Trump’s election integrity executive order. This decision has elicited a strong response from White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, warning of the judiciary’s direction.
Judge Casper ruled on major sections of Trump’s executive order titled “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections,” dated March 25, 2025. The judge determined that the order exceeded presidential power and violated the separation of powers outlined in the Constitution. The order attempted to create or change election rules, surpassing the enforcement of existing law.
“While the Constitution vests the President with ‘executive Power’ and commands him to ‘take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed,’ it does not grant the President any specific powers over elections,”Casper stated in her ruling. She highlighted the President’s lack of authority in appointing electors or controlling state officials involved in elections.
In reaction, Miller took to social media, expressing hope that Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts comprehends the implications of such judicial decisions. Conservative critics have voiced concerns about the Supreme Court’s pace in addressing lower-court rulings against Trump administration policies.
Previously, Casper had issued a preliminary injunction blocking key provisions of the order during the ongoing lawsuit. After over a year of litigation, she sided with the plaintiff states, represented by 19 states challenging the order in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, one of the suit’s lead plaintiffs, deemed the ruling a victory for state powers over federal interference.
“We sued President Trump over his attempt to unilaterally impose voting restrictions across the country—and we won,”Bonta declared.“A federal district court ruled that every provision we challenged in the Executive Order is unlawful, reaffirming that the power to regulate elections is reserved to the States and Congress.”
Judge Casper’s ruling permanently stops the administration from enforcing provisions that mandated documentary proof of citizenship for federal voter registration, altered military and overseas voting requirements, and threatened to withhold federal election funding from states refusing to comply with certain election rules. She concluded these sections were “unconstitutional and void.” The provisions were considered ultra vires, violating the U.S. Constitution’s separation of powers.
Furthermore, the executive order conflicted with existing federal laws such as the National Voter Registration Act and the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.
The executive order, signed by Trump on March 25, 2025, aimed to bolster election integrity and enhance public trust in federal elections. However, it faced criticism for imposing federal authority over state-managed electoral procedures.
Judge Casper is the second judge to rule against this executive order. In April 2025, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly also blocked parts of the order related to proof-of-citizenship for voter registration, confirming the authority of Congress and states over federal elections.
Casper’s recent ruling affects provisions covering ballot deadlines, military voters, and federal funding. This development coincides with Republican legislative efforts to push the SAVE Act, requiring proof of citizenship for federal voter registration. While passed in the House, its prospects in the Senate are uncertain.
The only unresolved issue involves whether federal election funding can have conditions attached for specific states. Parties must decide by July 10 on whether to continue this litigation claim.
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for an official comment. Elaine Mallon contributes to national politics coverage for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.