In a significant political maneuver, former President Donald Trump has called for a radical revision of the U.S. census process. Announced via Truth Social on Thursday, Trump's initiative seeks to exclude illegal immigrants from the population tally, a move that could substantially alter the distribution of congressional seats and federal funding. "I have instructed our Department of Commerce to immediately begin work on a new and highly accurate CENSUS based on modern day facts and figures," Trump declared, igniting a debate over the constitutionality and implications of such a change.
Trump's directive aligns with Republican strategies to gain an advantage in the House of Representatives, especially in GOP-controlled states like Texas. These states are encouraged to pursue redistricting efforts that Trump asserts could secure at least five additional House seats for the party. "The GOP is entitled to it," he claimed, suggesting that current district populations have been artificially inflated by counting illegal immigrants, thereby benefiting Democrats.
Supporting Trump's stance, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller contended on Fox News that Democratic House control is disproportionate due to the inclusion of illegal immigrants in census figures. He argued that this practice resulted in 20 to 30 House seats that would not exist otherwise, calling the 2020 census a manipulation by Democrats to consolidate congressional power. Miller's comments reflect the broader Republican sentiment that the inclusion of illegal immigrants skews the democratic process, granting undue influence to certain districts without a corresponding rise in eligible voters.
The U.S. Constitution mandates a decennial census to determine the apportionment of representatives and allocate federal resources. Historically, the census has counted every resident, irrespective of immigration status. Trump's proposed overhaul challenges this tradition, advocating for a census that counts only citizens, thus impacting representation and Electoral College votes. "This is about fairness," Miller stated, emphasizing the need to "clean up the census" during Trump's second term.
The Census Bureau's mandate is to accurately reflect the nation's demographic makeup to guide the distribution of resources and political representation. Any alteration could potentially lead to underrepresentation and diminished funding for communities with significant immigrant populations. Critics of Trump's proposal warn of these risks, foreseeing legal challenges to what many see as an attempt to reshape the political landscape in favor of "America First" policies.
As the debate intensifies, Trump's supporters view his decision as a corrective measure to address a perceived imbalance in political power. "America belongs to its people—not those who break our laws to get here," Trump concluded, signaling his commitment to prioritize citizens in governance matters.
