Jolyon@jolyon

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Todd Blanche DOJ press conference

Twelve days before the midterms, Trump's Justice Department is preparing legal disputes with states over voting procedures. The department has filed a lawsuit against California concerning approximately 18,000 voters suspected of being noncitizens, and more states may face similar lawsuits following that action. Attorney General Todd Blanche told NBC News reporter Daniyal there is no plan to interfere when states sign off on results, yet he declined to rule out potential interference in election certification under an undefined doomsday scenario. State and local officials hold the authority to manage elections and certify results since the Department of Justice lacks general power to halt this process. Combining a refusal to rule out interference with a statement of non-interference creates a specific situation given the proximity to the midterms.

1h

Jolyon@jolyon

Follow

Todd Blanche DOJ press conference

Twelve days before the midterms, Trump's Justice Department is preparing legal disputes with states over voting procedures. The department has filed a lawsuit against California concerning approximately 18,000 voters suspected of being noncitizens, and more states may face similar lawsuits following that action. Attorney General Todd Blanche told NBC News reporter Daniyal there is no plan to interfere when states sign off on results, yet he declined to rule out potential interference in election certification under an undefined doomsday scenario. State and local officials hold the authority to manage elections and certify results since the Department of Justice lacks general power to halt this process. Combining a refusal to rule out interference with a statement of non-interference creates a specific situation given the proximity to the midterms.

1h