'This is a big deal': Expert warns GOP hasn't given up after 'blockbuster' court loss

A prominent election lawyer blasted President Donald Trump during a podcast interview on Tuesday after the Trump administration suffered a loss in court.

Last week, a federal judge in Washington, D.C., permanently halted Trump's efforts to require people who file federal voter registration forms to prove they are U.S. citizens. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly argued that such a directive is an unconstitutional violation of the separation of powers, according to a report by PBS News.

Marc Elias, a voting rights attorney, discussed the court case with progressive YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen on Tuesday.

"This is a blockbuster ruling from the Washington, DC federal court," Elias said. "...This proof of citizenship requirement is at the top of the voter suppression checklist of the Republican Party. They tried to pass it as a law, and when they couldn't get it through there, Donald Trump went with this executive order. Now that has been thwarted."

Earlier this year, Trump issued an executive order that claimed the United States was not "adequately enforcing" laws that prohibit "non-citizens" from registering to vote.

The order was swiftly challenged by civil rights groups, who argued that the order would disproportionately impact voters of color.

Elias also warned that Republicans would likely try to pass the law again in the future.

"But make no mistake, they will be back with this," Elias said. "And their goal is to use this as a way to disenfranchise married women who change their last names, first-time registrants who don't have a passport or an original birth certificate. This is a big deal as we head towards the 2026 midterm elections."