Allegations of voter fraud continue to be the focus of the Trump campaign as it looks to uncover evidence of widespread voting irregularities that skewed the vote in Joe Biden’s favor. Monday, the Department of Justice joined the fight to pursue “substantial allegations” of voting irregularities before the 2020 presidential election is certified.
The move by Attorney General Bill Barr will give prosecutors the ability to go around a longstanding Justice Department Policy that normally would prohibit the investigation before election results are certified. The move also prompted director of Election Crimes Branch Richard Pilger to resign from his post.
In a memo to U.S. attorneys, 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.” Barr went on to say, “While it is imperative that credible allegations be addressed in a timely and effective manner, it is equally imperative that department personnel exercise appropriate caution and maintain the department’s absolute commitment to fairness, neutrality and non-partisanship.”
As the DOJ now gets involved, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell continued to throw his support behind Trump on Monday saying, “President Trump is 100 percent within his rights to look into allegations of irregularities and weigh his legal options, suffice it to say, a few legal inquiries from the president do not exactly spell the end of the republic.”
States have until Dec. 8 to resolve election disputes, including recounts and court contests over the results. Members of the Electoral College will meet Dec. 14 to certify the results.
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