Galvin dumps on Trump's "illegal insanity" census demand

Catch up quick: In a Thursday Truth Social post, Trump called for a "new and highly accurate" census, adding that "[p]eople who are in our Country illegally WILL NOT BE COUNTED IN THE CENSUS."

Why it matters: Excluding noncitizens from the decennial count would impact congressional representation and federal funding allocation for states with large immigrant populations like Massachusetts.

• There have already been challenges counting residents in immigrant communities due to deportation fears. Galvin said that trend will harm the accuracy of the census in 2030.

What they're saying: "The idea you could do another census in the meantime and have it be accurate is ridiculous," Galvin said. "You just can't take a census overnight."

• The secretary said the goal of a legitimate census that's not based on a political agenda would be to count everyone in the jurisdiction regardless of legal status.

Galvin said Trump is acting like a "dictator" trying to harm his political opponents.

• Trump "simply wants to hold on to political power, raw political power, in any way he can. That's what every other dictator in the world does. So why shouldn't he?" Galvin said.

What's next: Massachusetts already has 2030 census preparations underway, including scheduled meetings this month.

What we're watching: Galvin, 74, isn't ready to announce whether he'll run again in 2026 and oversee the state's 2030 census effort.

• "Whatever I'd like to do, or maybe think about doing, how can I walk away from this insanity?" Galvin said.