A federal court ruling found that recent changes to a government verification system may violate privacy protections and risk removing eligible voters from registration rolls.

WASHINGTON — A federal judge has blocked the use of a recently expanded federal database tool that had become a central component of the Trump administration’s efforts to help states verify voter citizenship, ruling that the system’s redesign raised significant privacy concerns and could lead to eligible Americans being removed from voter rolls.

In a decision issued Monday, U.S. District Court Judge Sparkle L. Sooknanan ruled in favor of voting rights and privacy advocacy groups that challenged modifications to the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program, commonly known as SAVE. According to the court order, the upgraded system consolidated sensitive personal information in a manner that could jeopardize voter eligibility determinations and potentially infringe on federal privacy protections.

The ruling represents a significant legal setback for President Donald Trump’s broader election-related initiatives during his second term. The revised SAVE system had been incorporated into a presidential executive order aimed at expanding federal involvement in efforts to identify noncitizens on state voter registration lists.

Judge Sooknanan concluded that the agencies responsible for developing the updated system exceeded legal boundaries established by Congress regarding the handling and centralization of Americans’ personal information. The court found that the plaintiffs had demonstrated substantial concerns regarding both privacy rights and the potential impact on lawful voters.

Court Examines Privacy and Voting Rights Concerns

The lawsuit was brought by several organizations, including the League of Women Voters, the Electronic Privacy Information Center, and individual U.S. citizens. The plaintiffs argued that the revised SAVE system violated federal privacy laws and increased the risk that eligible voters could be incorrectly identified as noncitizens.

Court filings indicated that the challenge focused on the administration’s decision to significantly broaden the system’s capabilities. The plaintiffs alleged that federal agencies implemented the changes without complying with required transparency measures and repurposed sensitive information collected by various government entities.

In explaining the ruling, Judge Sooknanan wrote that the agencies combined and reused personal data belonging to millions of Americans while pursuing directives contained in an executive order focused on voter verification.

The court further determined that the plaintiffs had shown evidence that inaccuracies within the system could affect lawful voters. According to the ruling, some states relying on the updated database had already used information that may incorrectly classify certain U.S. citizens as noncitizens.

SAVE System Became a Key Election Enforcement Tool

The SAVE program was originally established under federal immigration law to assist government agencies in determining eligibility for certain public benefits. The Department of Homeland Security administers the system.

Beginning in 2025, the Trump administration expanded the tool’s functionality for election officials. Public announcements from the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and the Department of Government Efficiency outlined changes that made the database available without cost to election administrators and enabled large-scale voter registration checks.

Under the revised framework, officials could conduct bulk searches using names, dates of birth, and Social Security numbers rather than relying solely on immigration identification numbers. Supporters argued that the modifications improved the efficiency of identifying noncitizens who may appear on voter registration lists.

According to information presented during the case, at least 25 states had used the expanded SAVE system since April 2025, and approximately 67 million voter registrations had been reviewed through the platform.

Several state election officials have described the upgraded system as one of several tools available to verify voter eligibility. However, critics argued throughout the litigation that the database could produce inaccurate results and disproportionately affect naturalized citizens.

Legal Debate Centers on Executive Authority

The ruling also adds to a growing series of court challenges involving election-related executive actions issued by President Trump.

The administration has pursued multiple initiatives intended to strengthen citizenship verification and alter election administration procedures. Several of those measures have faced legal challenges questioning whether the executive branch possesses authority to implement election rules that traditionally fall under the jurisdiction of states and Congress.

Voting by noncitizens is already prohibited under federal law and may carry criminal penalties, including potential deportation. Election experts and prior studies cited in public debates have generally found documented cases of noncitizen voting to be relatively rare compared with the overall number of registered voters.

During court proceedings, attorneys representing the plaintiffs argued that naturalized citizens face a heightened risk of being incorrectly flagged because of potential inconsistencies within government databases.

The Department of Homeland Security defended the administration’s objectives following the ruling. James Percival, general counsel at the department, criticized the decision in a social media post. The Department of Justice did not immediately issue a public response.

Future of the Program Remains Uncertain

The court order prevents continued use of the revised SAVE system in its current form, creating uncertainty about the future of one of the administration’s primary election verification initiatives.

Legal experts following the case noted that the dispute raises broader questions about the balance between election security efforts, privacy protections, and the limits of executive authority.

Whether the federal government will appeal the ruling remains unclear. For now, the decision places a significant obstacle before efforts to expand nationwide voter citizenship verification through the revamped federal database.

Tags: Judiciary, Constitutional Law, Voting Rights, Election Administration, Voter Registration, Department of Homeland Security, Federal Privacy Law, Executive Authority, Court Ruling, Election Integrity,

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The European Union’s Electoral Observation Mission said its monitors found no evidence supporting claims that irregularities affected the outcome of Sunday’s election. Mission chief Esteban González Pons stated that none of the 12 presidential candidates formally reported fraud concerns to EU observers and described the vote-counting process as “transparent, orderly and fluid.”

Official results showed lawyer Abelardo de la Espriella finishing first with 43.7% of the vote, while Senator Iván Cepeda, the candidate backed by President Gustavo Petro’s governing coalition, received 40.9%. Neither candidate secured an outright majority, triggering a runoff election scheduled for June 21.

Fraud Claims Draw International Scrutiny

Shortly after preliminary results were announced, President Petro questioned aspects of the electoral process, alleging on social media that hundreds of thousands of voters had been improperly added to electoral rolls. The president did not publicly provide evidence supporting the accusation.

Cepeda initially declined to recognize the preliminary count, saying he preferred to wait for the official review process conducted by judges and notaries. However, the candidate later stated that election monitors deployed by his own campaign had not identified irregularities significant enough to justify allegations of fraud.

EU observers said they independently reviewed election documentation and found no indication that vote totals had been manipulated. Colombia’s electoral system requires final certification of results through a verification process overseen by judicial authorities rather than the presidency.

Runoff Campaign Begins Under Heightened Political Pressure

The dispute over election integrity comes as Colombia enters a high-stakes runoff campaign that will determine the successor to Petro’s administration. The election has become a referendum on the direction of the country’s economic policies, security strategy and peace initiatives with armed groups.

International observers and election-monitoring organizations have emphasized the importance of maintaining public confidence in the electoral process. Reports from monitoring missions, including the EU delegation, described voting day as generally peaceful and transparent.

Concerns Over Political Polarization

The disagreement over the vote count has raised concerns about growing political polarization in Colombia. International observers warned that unsubstantiated claims regarding election fraud could increase tensions ahead of the second round and potentially undermine trust in democratic institutions.

Despite the controversy, election authorities have continued the official counting and certification process. Authorities have not publicly confirmed any evidence of widespread irregularities affecting the outcome of the first round.

As campaigning resumes before the June 21 runoff, attention is shifting toward whether either candidate can expand support beyond their existing political bases while preserving confidence in one of Latin America’s most closely watched elections.

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Published Time: 08-18-2025, 21:55

Newsmax has agreed to pay $67 million to Dominion Voting Systems, ending a high-profile defamation lawsuit linked to false claims about the 2020 U.S. presidential election. The settlement, disclosed in a recent financial filing, spares the conservative news outlet from facing a jury trial that could have further damaged its reputation and finances.

Settlement Details

According to the filing, Newsmax will pay Dominion $27 million immediately, followed by $40 million spread over the next two years. The agreement was finalized last week and revealed publicly on Monday.

Dominion Voting Systems, which provides election technology across the United States, confirmed the settlement but offered no further comment. “We are pleased to have settled this matter,” a Dominion spokesperson told CNN.

Notably, the agreement does not require Newsmax to issue an on-air apology or acknowledgment of its role in spreading false claims about the company.

The Origins of the Lawsuit

Dominion filed its lawsuit against Newsmax in August 2021, after the network aired allegations that the company had helped rig the 2020 presidential election in favor of Joe Biden. These unfounded claims were widely promoted by allies of former President Donald Trump, including commentators and guests on Newsmax programs.

Following Trump’s loss, a wave of conspiracy theories emerged suggesting that Dominion’s voting machines were manipulated. The allegations, later proven false, became central to lawsuits brought by Dominion against several media organizations and individuals.

Court Rulings and Trial Postponement

Earlier this year, a Delaware judge determined that Newsmax had aired defamatory content regarding Dominion, specifically by amplifying baseless accusations of election fraud. The judge noted that a jury would need to decide whether the network acted with actual malice and to determine appropriate damages.

A trial was initially set for April but was postponed by the court due to an unrelated professional matter. Before proceedings could resume, both parties reached the $67 million settlement agreement.

Comparison to Fox News Settlement

The outcome echoes a similar case involving Fox News. In April 2023, Fox reached a record $787.5 million settlement with Dominion, avoiding what was expected to be a lengthy and damaging trial. That payout had a significant financial impact on Fox Corporation’s quarterly earnings.

While the Newsmax settlement is much smaller in scale, the network’s audience and revenues are also far smaller. Newsmax’s viewership is estimated at roughly one-tenth the size of Fox’s cable news audience.

Ongoing Defamation Cases

The legal battles stemming from false election claims are far from over. Dominion and other voting technology companies, such as Smartmatic, continue to pursue lawsuits against media outlets and public figures who promoted baseless fraud allegations.

Smartmatic, which also provides election software, is currently engaged in a major defamation lawsuit against Fox News. Newsmax previously settled with Smartmatic for $40 million in 2024, also on the eve of trial.

These settlements highlight the long-lasting consequences of misinformation campaigns tied to the 2020 election. Nearly five years later, courts remain a key battleground for accountability and reputational repair.

Broader Implications

The $67 million agreement underscores the financial risks media outlets face when amplifying false narratives without evidence. Legal experts note that these settlements serve as a warning to news organizations about the potential costs of airing unverified claims.

While Newsmax avoids the uncertainty of a jury verdict, the settlement adds to a growing list of costly legal defeats for media platforms that supported conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 election.

For Dominion, the deal continues its strategy of seeking redress through the courts after facing a wave of reputational damage and security threats in the aftermath of the election.

Source: CNN – Newsmax pays $67 million to settle Dominion lawsuit over network’s 2020 election lies

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Georgia’s political turmoil has deepened as Mikheil Kavelashvili, a former Manchester City footballer, prepares to take office as president following a controversial parliamentary vote on Saturday. The announcement comes after 16 days of widespread pro-European Union (EU) protests that have gripped towns and cities across the country.

Kavelashvili’s Contentious Candidacy

At 53, Kavelashvili is a former member of the ruling Georgian Dream party, which has been accused of authoritarian tendencies. He is the sole candidate for the presidency, but his appointment is being boycotted by the country’s four main opposition groups, who argue that the October elections were rigged.

Outgoing pro-Western President Salome Zourabichvili has condemned Kavelashvili’s election as a mockery of democratic principles, calling it a threat to the country’s legitimacy. She insists she represents the only legitimate institution in Georgia.

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze dismissed Zourabichvili’s criticisms, accusing her of undermining Georgia’s interests. He stated that her term ends on December 29 and that she “must retire.” Georgian Dream ally Nino Tsilosani claimed that Zourabichvili no longer has public support.

Protests Erupt Over EU Membership Delay

The political crisis escalated when the government announced on November 28 that it would delay EU accession talks until 2028, despite overwhelming public support for EU membership being enshrined in Georgia’s constitution.

Nightly protests have filled the streets of Tbilisi, with demonstrators draped in EU flags demanding new elections. Friday saw pop-up protests led by professionals from various sectors, including IT specialists, actors, and lawyers.

“We are here to build a lawful state that respects constitutional provisions and human rights,” said lawyer Davit Kikaleishvili.

Saturday’s parliamentary vote involves a 300-member electoral college dominated by Georgian Dream loyalists, a process expected to fuel further protests.

Kavelashvili’s Controversial Political Career

Kavelashvili is a co-founder of the People’s Power party, known for its anti-Western rhetoric. He has accused opposition parties of acting as foreign-directed agents and labeled President Zourabichvili a “chief agent.”

Initially aligned with Georgian Dream, People’s Power now positions itself as a “healthy opposition” to what it calls “radical foreign-funded opposition groups.” Critics, however, accuse Georgian Dream and its billionaire founder Bidzina Ivanishvili of steering Georgia back into Russia’s orbit.

Human Rights Concerns and International Backlash

Georgia has faced strong condemnation from the EU and US for what they describe as democratic backsliding. Transparency International reports that over 460 protesters have been detained in the past two weeks, with more than 300 allegedly subjected to torture or ill-treatment.

Footage of thugs attacking journalists has further escalated tensions. The EU has condemned the “brutal, unlawful force” used by police, and foreign ministers are set to discuss sanctions against the Georgian government on Monday.

The US State Department has already imposed visa restrictions on Georgian officials, including ministers and police officers. Protesters are urging the international community to impose broader sanctions on top officials and Ivanishvili.

Protests and Calls for Justice

Pro-government groups have intensified harassment campaigns against civil society activists, with reports of beatings and arbitrary arrests. “There is systematic torture, inhuman, and degrading treatment of citizens,” said Nino Lomjaria, a former public defender.

Theatre workers joined Friday’s protests, chanting, “The police are everywhere, justice is nowhere.” In a dramatic moment, two men scaled a construction crane, waving a Georgian flag as thousands cheered below.

What’s Next for Georgia?

As the crisis unfolds, Georgia’s future remains uncertain. The government’s deferral of EU membership talks has sparked widespread public outrage, and Kavelashvili’s presidency is likely to deepen the divide between pro-EU citizens and the ruling party.

With protests showing no signs of slowing, the international community’s response will be critical in shaping Georgia’s path forward.

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