President Donald Trump criticized the Supreme Court on Tuesday after it declined to allow new restrictions on mail-in voting ahead of the November 3, 2026, midterm elections. In an emergency order issued Monday, the court indicated that the administration’s proposed changes would probably fail in court, at least if applied during the current election cycle.
The administration had sought to give the U.S. Postal Service a central role in determining who could receive mail ballots. State election officials opposed the request, arguing that there was insufficient time to revise established procedures and that existing systems were secure and accurate. Because voting by mail has already begun in some states, the ruling permits officials to continue using their longstanding processes.
Trump accused the court of failing to act in the country’s interest and said several justices were no longer the people he had interviewed before their nominations. He praised Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas, who dissented, while criticizing a court that includes his appointees Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett.
The comments continued Trump’s pattern of publicly attacking judges and justices whose decisions conflict with his policies. He has previously objected to rulings involving birthright citizenship and presidential tariff authority. However, the Supreme Court has also supported major Trump priorities, including its 2024 decision granting former presidents presumptive immunity for official acts.
Trump has repeatedly questioned mail voting and attributed his 2020 defeat to it, claims not supported by evidence. A 2025 Brookings Institution report estimated approximately four fraudulent cases for every 10 million mail ballots. About one-third of voters use mail ballots.
Trump also argued that the court took too long to issue its decision. He described his criticism as a presidential duty, while warning that the ruling could have lasting economic consequences for the country.