Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Supreme Court upholds Mississippi mail-in ballot counting rule — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5–4 in Watson v. RNC that a Mississippi law allowing mail-in ballots to be counted if postmarked by and received within five days of Election Day does not violate federal law. The Court rejected the argument that federal law requires mail-in ballots to be received by Election Day itself.
• Supreme Court rejects RNC challenge to late-received mail-in ballots — The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision authored by Justice Barrett rejecting the Republican National Committee's challenge to state laws counting mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day but received after Election Day. The Court held that the Federal Election Day statute does not preempt state authority to count such ballots and that responsibility for the mechanics of elections belongs to the states by default. The RNC had sued Mississippi in Watson v. RNC, seeking to establish that "Election Day" means the date by which all ballots must be received, a theory the Court rejected.
• US Supreme Court upholds state law counting mail-in ballots arriving after election day — The US Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in Watson v. Republican National Committee that states may count mail-in ballots postmarked by election day even if they arrive within five business days afterward. Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote the majority opinion, joined by Chief Justice Roberts and the three liberal justices, rejecting the RNC's challenge to Mississippi's law. The decision affirms state authority over election procedures and protects similar laws in fourteen states, Washington DC, and three territories. President Trump called the ruling a "tremendous loss" and renewed calls for the Save America Act.
• Justices uphold state law allowing for late-arriving mail-in ballots — The Supreme Court upheld a state law that permits mail-in ballots to be counted even if they arrive after Election Day, as long as they are postmarked by that day. This decision supports the state's efforts to ensure that all votes are counted, particularly in light of potential postal delays. The ruling is seen as a victory for voting rights advocates who argue that such measures are necessary to ensure fair and accessible elections.
• Supreme Court releases opinion in Watson v. Republican National Committee (24-1260) — The Supreme Court released an official slip opinion in Watson v. Republican National Committee. Docket number(s): 24-1260.
• Trump characterizes mail-in ballot ruling as enabling illegal voting — During an Oval Office press availability, Trump stated that the Supreme Court's mail-in ballot ruling was "a little bit surprising" and "very detrimental to honest elections" because it "gives people more time to vote illegally."
• US Supreme Court strikes down limits on coordinated party campaign spending — The US Supreme Court ruled in National Republican Senatorial Committee v Federal Election Commission that limits on "coordinated party expenditures" are unconstitutional, eliminating restrictions on how much political parties can spend in support of their candidates. The case originated from a 2022 lawsuit by JD Vance and Republican officials challenging the FEC's enforcement of these limits. The Trump administration supported the challenge; the FEC, lacking a quorum since April 2025, could not mount a full defense. The ruling continues a two-decade trend of dismantling campaign finance restrictions.
• Supreme Court rules in favor of unlimited coordinated political party spending — The Supreme Court issued a ruling permitting unlimited coordinated spending by political parties. The decision expands the scope of campaign finance by removing restrictions on coordination between parties and outside groups, potentially increasing the influence of wealthy donors and organized party structures in elections.