Trump says he’ll eliminate vote-by-mail. Washington’s U.S. senators say not so fast.

Washington’s two U.S. senators, both Democrats, are weighing in on President Donald Trump’s plans to eliminate voting by mail.

“I am going to lead a movement to get rid of MAIL-IN BALLOTS,” Trump posted on the platform Truth Social.

He added, “ELECTIONS CAN NEVER BE HONEST WITH MAIL IN BALLOTS/VOTING.”

The president further claimed, “We are now the only Country in the World that uses Mail-In Voting. All others gave it up because of the MASSIVE VOTER FRAUD ENCOUNTERED.”

Trump moves to end vote-by-mail

While speaking to the press at the White House Monday, the president said he planned to sign an executive order to end mail-in ballots.

Trump has long railed against mail-in ballots. He claimed widespread fraud caused him to lose the 2020 presidential election, although Trump appointee Attorney General William Barr said the U.S. Department of Justice found no evidence of that.

Secretary of State: Trump’s order ‘should be rejected’

Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs wrote in a statement that Trump’s announcement “should be rejected.”

“The Constitution is clear. Article I, Section 4, Clause 1 gives Congress and state legislatures the authority to set the ‘Times, Places and Manner’ of elections — not the president. For nearly two decades, Washington voters have benefitted from a vote-by-mail system upheld by our Legislature,” Hobbs stated.

He said the federal government dismantled the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center, shut down security programs, and uses vague but specific requirements for Washington to receive federal funding.

“These moves stripped local elections offices of resources while piling on new burdens from Washington, D.C. This is the Trump Administration’s next step to systematically dismantle and undermine our state and country’s election systems, and I will not idly stand by while it happens in real-time,” Hobbs wrote.

“In Washington, our system works. Every ballot is accounted for, signatures are verified, and results are audited. We will continue to run secure, transparent, and accessible elections. Voters deserve nothing less,” he added.

Gov. Ferguson weighs in

A statement from Washington Governor Bob Ferguson was brief.

“Washington State’s vote-by-mail system is convenient, safe, and secure,” the Democrat said. “We won’t go backward.”

Maria Cantwell issues statement

Washington Democratic U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell issued a statement Monday saying that voting by mail is safe, provides the easiest way to track votes, and that there is no evidence it increases voter fraud.

Washington began expanding vote-by-mail in 1991. By 2011, it became statewide. Voters still have the option of placing their ballots in official ballot drop boxes.

“Washington’s vote-by-mail system uses multiple layers of safeguards to minimize fraud and keep our elections safe, secure, and accessible,” the Washington Secretary of State’s office wrote in a statement. “Despite claims of vote-by-mail enabling widespread fraud, the system of tabulation equipment, verification processes, and trained election staff ensures every valid vote is verified and counted correctly.”

Patty Murray responds

U.S. Senator Patty Murray posted on the platform X, “WA state votes by mail in every election. We’ll keep it that way—thanks.”

Trump insisted on Truth Social, “Remember, the States are merely an “agent” for the Federal Government in counting and tabulating the votes. They must do what the Federal Government, as represented by the President of the United States, tells them.”

In the same post, he also stated he would lead a movement to get rid of voting machines, which he said are highly inaccurate.

Voting machines also came into question following the 2020 presidential election. Documents filed Monday revealed that Newsmax became the latest conservative network to pay a settlement over claims Dominion Voting Systems used its machines to rig the election.

Fox News previously settled a lawsuit accusing it of making false claims about voting machines.

Fox did not issue a formal apology. Newsmax denies that it defamed the company.

Contributing: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest

Read more of Heather Bosch’s stories here.

Follow @http://www.twitter.com/heatherbosch