Texas Democratic U.S. Senate candidate and state Rep. James Talarico is drawing online criticism after remarks in a circulated video in which he described the SAVE America Act as an effort to “rob our neighbors, strictly our black neighbors, of those God-given rights.” The clip, shared on X, has prompted reactions from users who argue the comments imply black Americans are unable to obtain voter identification.
In the clip, Talarico appears seated in a suit and speaking into a microphone. He says, “…so many brave Black Americans have fought and died for that right. And so for politicians in Austin or in Washington, as they’re now doing with the Save Act, they are trying to rob our neighbors, particularly our Black neighbors, of those God-given rights.”
According to the accompanying post text, RNC Research framed the comments as suggesting that black Americans are incapable of obtaining voter ID. The video itself contains only the quoted remarks and does not include additional explanations from Talarico about the legislation or voter identification requirements.
Online Reactions to Talarico’s SAVE America Act Comments
Some users focused on the implication regarding voter ID, with one writing, “Someone needs to ask this joker WHY he thinks black people can’t get an ID. Democrats are racists!”
Another commented, “He thinks black people are too stupid to have an ID.”
A separate post stated, “Assuming black people can’t get an ID is racist. Requiring an ID to vote isn’t.”
Others questioned the overall point, including a comment that “This makes no sense; he’s just using buzzwords,” while another noted, “Is he suggesting black people aren’t capable of getting ID’s or birth certificates like every other race?”
The debate over the SAVE America Act and related voter identification measures remains active as the Texas Senate race continues. Talarico’s remarks have now become part of the broader national discussion over election security, voter access and the potential impact of stricter ID requirements.
