From ARY News · Reuters · · 1m 40s
Trump Justice Dept Intervenes in Midterms
US Justice Department challenges mail-in ballots and Senate candidate in Alaska amid midterm election disputes.
In brief
US Justice Department challenges mail-in ballots and Senate candidate in Alaska amid midterm election disputes. Trump's Justice Department filed lawsuits to block mail-in ballots in California and challenge Alaska's Senate race, claiming noncitizen voting and voter confusion. Originally reported by ARY News.
Justice Department Intervenes in Midterms
President Donald Trump’s Justice Department has shown willingness to intervene directly in Tuesday’s midterm elections, breaking with decades of practice.
California Mail-In Ballot Challenge
The department sought to set aside mail-in ballots from about 20,000 voters it alleges are likely non-US citizens ineligible to vote.
California Records Demand
The department has also demanded records in a related criminal probe, but California argues it has implemented measures to prevent voting by noncitizens.
Alaska Senate Candidate Case
The department intensified a criminal investigation into whether a Senate candidate with the same name as Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan entered the race to confuse voters.
Alaska Certification Block
The department sought to block certification if Sullivan narrowly loses, but a federal judge dismissed that lawsuit on Sunday.
Court Rejections
Courts have rejected the department’s lawsuits against both states, but the cases underscore the DOJ’s willingness to intervene in election disputes before votes are counted.
Critics' Concerns
Critics say the department could accelerate any attempt by Trump to sow doubt about the midterms, which will determine control of Congress and winners of dozens of governors’ races.
DOJ's Legal Justification
US Attorney General Todd Blanche says the department’s efforts are lawful and aim to protect the integrity of the vote.
The takeaway
Trump's Justice Department filed lawsuits to block mail-in ballots in California and challenge Alaska's Senate race, claiming noncitizen voting and voter confusion.
