Attorney General William Barr has authorized the Department of Justice to investigate any “substantial allegations” of voter fraud in the 2020 election.
Barr wrote that investigations “may be conducted if there are clear and apparently-credible allegations of irregularities that, if true, could potentially impact the outcome of a federal election in an individual State.”
The development was first reported by The Associated Press on Monday evening.
President-elect Joe Biden was projected by every major news outlet as the winner of the presidential election on Saturday, but President Trump has indicated he will not concede, alleging without evidence that there was widespread voter fraud.
The Trump campaign has filed lawsuits in several key battleground states that Biden won, asking local judges to either invalidate or stop counting mail-in ballots, a record number of which were cast this year amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Some Republicans have backed Trump’s claims of voter fraud or his right to challenge the count, while others have moved on to congratulating Biden on winning the White House.
“Obviously no states have yet certified their election results. We have at least one or two states that are already on track for a recount and I believe the president may have legal challenges underway in at least five states,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said during a floor speech Monday.
Barr, who has been repeatedly criticized for politicizing the Justice Department under Trump, reportedly met with McConnell on Monday.
Top Trump campaign officials have indicated they are willing to appeal state court decisions that do not go in their favor all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary.
……..
- Discussion
-
#BREAKING: Barr authorizes Justice Department to probe "substantial allegations" of voter fraud: report https://t.co/qaI037XJuq pic.twitter.com/wIISCnO9ah
— The Hill (@thehill) November 10, 2020
So now we know what that homunculus was up to https://t.co/FLMKO9Ixme
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) November 9, 2020
Stay vigilant. Stay alert. Stay calm. We knew this was coming. They do not want to give up power. Biden won. Barr is the same guy who ordered teargassing of Americans who were peacefully protesting. Of course he will try to steal this election. But he will not succeed. https://t.co/9tarF9WEdk
— Jennifer Taub (@jentaub) November 9, 2020
The Interior Minister takes action to protect the Dear Leader. https://t.co/kC8eDdwSv8
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) November 9, 2020
I assume part of what’s going on is that Trump has to keep his brand as a “fighter“ so that when he finally steps down he can claim that he never gave up and then he can get right back to fleecing the rubes.
— Tom Nichols (@RadioFreeTom) November 10, 2020
BREAKING: In response to Barr's memo, the top DOJ official overseeing voter fraud investigations quit. w/@ktbenner https://t.co/azuK6lIqvw
— Michael S. Schmidt (@nytmike) November 10, 2020
"Mr. Barr’s authorization prompted the Justice Department official who oversees investigations of voter fraud, Richard Pilger, to step down from the post within hours, according to an email Mr. Pilger sent to colleagues" https://t.co/Ris8KwEKWB @nytimes
— Molly O'Toole (@mollymotoole) November 10, 2020
Richard Pilger, a career prosecutor in @TheJusticeDept's Public Integrity Section, in an email obtained by the @nytimes:
"Having familiarized myself with the new policy and its ramifications … I must regretfully resign from my role as director of the Election Crimes Branch." https://t.co/aavAiBu5Gm
— David Gura (@davidgura) November 10, 2020
Sen. Richard Blumenthal: "I am deeply troubled, as my colleagues are, by the statements made by Attorney General Barr, who again is acting apparently as a puppet of the President rather than a lawyer for the American people." pic.twitter.com/14Yy74Kogg
— The Hill (@thehill) November 11, 2020
Correct https://t.co/qWIRwZPsnC
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) November 11, 2020
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.