What the Supreme Court's mail voting ruling means for midterm elections

US President Donald Trump harshly criticized the Supreme Court on Tuesday, denouncing its recent ruling against his proposed restrictions on mail-in ballots ahead of the midterm elections. Trump accused the conservative-dominated court of bowing to Democratic pressure and delivering some of the most damaging and hurtful decisions in American history.

He singled out Justices Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh, and Neil Gorsuch, whom he had appointed, for special criticism, claiming they were no longer the individuals he had envisioned for the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court denied Trump's request to lift an order halting his plan to limit mail-in voting, effectively blocking his efforts to restrict the method.

The court's decision came after the president's executive order, which lacked evidence of fraud, prompted multiple legal challenges. Trump acknowledged it was rare for him to criticize the Supreme Court, as he leads the executive branch while the court heads the judicial branch. Despite this, he felt compelled to express his discontent, stating it was his duty to do so for the America they love.

The court ruled that there was insufficient time to implement the restriction on mail-in ballots, with two of the six conservative justices dissenting. Democrats contended that the decision was unconstitutional, as states, not the federal government, retain broad control over elections under the US Constitution. The president's plan was deemed un-American and flagrantly unconstitutional by Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

The ruling is seen as a significant loss for Republicans and potentially an easier path for Democratic manipulation of mail-in ballots.