Trump Targets Connecticut Voting System, Revives Criticism of Sen. Blumenthal

President Donald Trump criticized Connecticut’s election system and renewed his attacks on U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal while promoting federal voting legislation aimed at tightening election rules.

Speaking during a televised interview, Trump described Connecticut as a “very corrupt voting place,” echoing broader claims about election integrity that have become central to his push for stricter federal voting requirements.

The remarks came as Trump promoted the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, a proposal designed to require documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration and impose additional verification standards nationwide. The measure would mandate specific forms of identification, such as passports or birth certificates, and direct states to verify voter eligibility through federal databases.

Supporters argue the legislation would prevent noncitizen voting and strengthen public confidence in elections. Critics contend the requirements could make voting more difficult for eligible citizens who lack documentation, including younger voters, military families, and individuals who have changed their legal names.

Federal data and past reviews have found that noncitizen voting in U.S. elections is rare, though isolated cases have been documented.

Connecticut officials pushed back strongly against Trump’s claims. State election administrators emphasized that voting is conducted locally under bipartisan oversight, relies on paper ballots, and includes pre-election testing and post-election audits. They also highlighted recent measures aimed at strengthening absentee ballot safeguards and expanding election security protocols.

The president also revived long-standing criticism of Blumenthal, a Democrat who has represented Connecticut in the U.S. Senate since 2011. Trump repeated claims related to Blumenthal’s past statements about his military service — an issue the senator previously acknowledged involved misstatements while affirming his service in the Marine Corps Reserve.

The exchange reflects a broader national debate over election administration as federal lawmakers continue to clash over voting access, security standards, and the balance of authority between state and federal oversight.

The SAVE Act has advanced in the House of Representatives but continues to face significant political and legal scrutiny as discussions over federal election policy intensify ahead of upcoming national elections.