Trump official tells census workers Congress has final say over the count, not Trump

Published on August 13, 2025

Title: Trump Official's Remarks Highlight Congressional Role in Census Count Amid Redistricting Push

In an exclusive report by NPR, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has acknowledged that it is ultimately Congress, not President Trump, who holds the final say over the national headcount used to reshape election maps and guide federal funding. This revelation comes amid a Republican-led campaign to use census data for redrawing congressional voting maps in Texas and other states ahead of next year's midterm elections with an aim to maintain GOP control of the House of Representatives.

Lutnick's remarks also suggest that when tallying the country’s population, people living in the U.S. without legal status should be differentiated from others and counted as someone who has "broken into the country." This proposal is part of a broader debate on how to handle undocumented immigrants during the census count.

The push for mid-decade redistricting by Trump, Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, and some GOP lawmakers in Congress highlights their desire to conduct another census before the next scheduled one in 2030 so that new results can be used to redistribute House seats among states and redraw maps of congressional voting districts ahead of the 2026 election. However, given the short timeline, experts have dismissed these ideas as impractical.

The significance of Lutnick's remarks lies in his clarification that it is Congress who holds ultimate authority over the census process. This statement serves to remind politicians and citizens alike about the checks and balances within our democratic system. Furthermore, it underscores the importance of understanding the role each branch plays in shaping national policies and decisions.

In conclusion, while there may be disagreements on how best to handle certain aspects of the census process, such as counting undocumented immigrants or conducting an early count, one thing remains clear: Congress holds the final say over these matters. As we move forward into a new era of political discourse and decision-making, it is crucial that we remember this fundamental principle of our democratic system.

Source: [Original Article](https://www.npr.org/2025/08/12/nx-s1-5500526/can-the-president-order-a-new-census-trump-congress) #trump

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