Leavitt: Trump’s primetime speech will ‘shock’ listeners about American election integrity

By Morgan Sweeney
The Center Square

President Donald Trump is set to address the nation Thursday night in a speech the White House is encouraging Americans to watch that will include a “very important announcement with respect to the integrity of our elections,” according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

It had been reported before Thursday’s press briefing that the speech would focus on election integrity, as the midterm elections draw nearer and the president seeks to push the SAVE Act through Congress, though some reporting had suggested it would focus more narrowly on alleged fraud and interference in the 2020 presidential election.

Leavitt confirmed, as reporters peppered her with questions about the speech at Thursday afternoon’s press briefing, that it would concern election integrity and that it would reveal some important “findings” from previous elections.

“I think the American people will be relieved to hear what they are hearing from the president of the United States and his commitment to transparency and the focus on the integrity of our elections tonight. I think all Republicans and Democrats should recognize this as a nonpartisan issue,” Leavitt said. “Safe and secure elections are a true tenet of our constitutional republic, and the president will be speaking about that tonight.”

Leavitt said the president was speaking on the issue because millions of Americans share Trump’s concerns about the sanctity and security of American elections. She promised that the speech contains “findings” that will “shock” listeners.

“We should have the safest and most secure elections in the history of the world. And what the president will be speaking about tonight will show you that perhaps that is not the case, and we need to make some adjustments moving forward,” Leavitt said.

The SAVE Act, or the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, would address some of those alleged vulnerabilities in American elections, according to Leavitt. The act would require voters to provide proof of citizenship at the time of registration, as well as a photo ID when voting. It would also restrict mail-in and online registration methods by requiring voters to physically present citizenship documents to election officials, among other provisions. While it primarily concerns voting processes and procedures, it also includes provisions aimed at banning gender-affirming medical procedures for transgender minors.

The House of Representatives has attached the SAVE Act to a State Department and national security appropriations bill that now lies with the Senate.