Karoline Leavitt blasts Barack Obama over voter ID stance, says 'Democrats are panicking'
WASHINGTON, DC: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has criticized former President Barack Obama for his opposition to national voter ID requirements, accusing the Democratic Party of spreading misinformation to block election measures.
The dispute centers on the SAVE Act, a bill recently passed by the House that aims to mandate photo identification and proof of citizenship for federal elections to prevent noncitizen voting.
You know how badly the Democrats are panicking when they bring out Obama to spread lies about voter ID.
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) February 12, 2026
The fact is that nearly 90% of voters support:
✅Requiring government-issued photo ID to vote.
✅Requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote for the first time. https://t.co/qcWZdTGoTD pic.twitter.com/ibLI94rIw5
Karoline Leavitt points to strong public support for voter ID laws
Leavitt took to social media on Thursday, February 12, to highlight that most people want these laws, citing polls showing support between 83% and 84% for showing an ID to vote.
"You know how badly the Democrats are panicking when they bring out Obama to spread lies about voter ID," Leavitt posted to X Thursday.
She emphasized that "the fact is that nearly 90% of voters support" these measures, arguing that the public sees them as a basic way to keep elections secure.
Here is Barack Obama showing his photo ID to vote in a past election.
— Karoline Leavitt (@PressSec) February 12, 2026
Why are Democrats in Congress so opposed to making this a requirement across the country?
Voter ID laws are common sense. https://t.co/gDiUsYBMvz pic.twitter.com/e5zSNJFdXJ
Leavitt cites Obama’s past use of photo ID to vote
The White House secretary also pointed out that Obama himself has used a photo ID to vote in the past.
Leavitt shared a video from 2012 showing him using his driver's license at a polling station.
"Here is Barack Obama showing his photo ID to vote in a past election," Leavitt posted. "Why are Democrats in Congress so opposed to making this a requirement across the country? Voter ID laws are common sense."
Meanwhile, White House spokeswoman Taylor Rogers, during an interview with Fox News digital, stated that IDs are required for simple things like travel or buying alcohol, stating that "Congressional Democrats’ opposition to the SAVE America Act is indefensible and wildly out of step with the views of the American people."
Republicans are still trying to pass the SAVE Act—a bill that would make it harder to vote and disenfranchise millions of Americans. Join @RedistrictAct and tell your member of Congress to vote no: https://t.co/Cc4JHKr73Q pic.twitter.com/tUyxEbYJ0y
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) February 11, 2026
Opposition to SAVE Act by Dems
The debate heated up after the House passed the SAVE Act, which would require photo ID and proof of citizenship for federal elections.
Obama and most Democrats voted against it, saying it makes voting too hard for some people.
"Republicans are still trying to pass the SAVE Act—a bill that would make it harder to vote and disenfranchise millions of Americans," Obama posted to X Wednesday evening.
However, White House spokeswoman Rogers hit back, telling Fox News Digital that "Barack Obama and the rest of the Democrats think Americans are stupid, which is why they are blatantly lying about the commonsense election integrity provisions in the popular SAVE Act."
