DOJ's Sweeping Request Raises Alarms
The U.S. Department of Justice, under the Trump administration, has issued a shocking demand for election records from Colorado, a move that voting officials have described as unprecedented and alarming. On May 12, the DOJ requested "all records" related to the 2024 federal elections and sought preservation of any remaining records from the 2020 election. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat, expressed her concerns, stating, "What they're going to do with all this data, I don't know, but I'm sure they will use it to push their ridiculous disinformation and lies to the American public." This sweeping request is indicative of a troubling pattern in which the federal government is being weaponized to undermine the integrity of electoral processes.
Fishing Expedition or Targeted Investigation
Experts are raising serious questions about the motives behind this extensive data request. David Becker, a former Justice Department attorney, characterized it as a "fishing expedition" rather than a focused investigation. This sentiment is echoed by other election officials who have never encountered such a broad request in their careers. The DOJ's demand could include sensitive materials such as voter registration data, ballots, and voting equipment, which are typically held at the county level. This raises significant privacy and security concerns, particularly given the recent history of the Justice Department's focus on unfounded claims of voter fraud.
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Connection to Trump's Political Allies
There are indications that this unusual request may be linked to the prosecution of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, a key figure in the ongoing narrative surrounding the 2020 election. Peters, who is currently serving a nine-year sentence for crimes related to election security breaches, has been portrayed by Trump as an "innocent political prisoner". This connection raises alarms about whether the DOJ is being used as a tool to aid Trump's political allies while simultaneously undermining legitimate election processes. As noted by Matt Crane, a former county clerk in Colorado, the timing of the DOJ's request is suspect, especially given Trump's direct call for action regarding Peters.
Transformation of the DOJ Under Trump
Since Trump's appointment of Harmeet Dhillon as the head of the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, there has been a striking shift in focus away from protecting voting rights and toward searching for voter fraud. This transformation has involved the dropping of lawsuits initiated during the Biden administration that aimed to protect voters' rights, as reported by Brookings Institution. The new mandate appears to align with Trump's executive orders that have raised significant concerns about the integrity of American elections. With approximately 70% of civil rights attorneys leaving the DOJ, the current environment raises fears of a compromised commitment to civil rights.
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Legal and Ethical Implications
Legal experts are questioning the propriety of the DOJ's approach, particularly in light of the potential overlap between private interests and government actions. Dhillon's previous role as a legal advisor for Trump’s campaign and her present position at the DOJ complicate matters, suggesting a blurring of lines that could lead to ethical violations. This concern is compounded by the lack of transparency regarding the origins of the complaint that prompted the DOJ's request. As Justin Levitt, a former deputy assistant attorney general, pointed out, the request to send "everything" is unprecedented and raises questions about compliance with federal laws governing the collection of personally identifiable information.
Widespread Concerns Among Election Officials
Election officials across the country are expressing deep concern over the implications of such a broad request. Maggie Toulouse Oliver, New Mexico's secretary of state, noted that this type of data collection could lead to a relitigation of the 2020 election, creating an environment of fear and uncertainty among those tasked with ensuring fair elections. As states grapple with the implications of the DOJ’s demands, the potential for voter disenfranchisement looms large. The ramifications of this aggressive request could fundamentally alter the landscape of electoral governance in the United States.
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