Justice Department: Armed Federal Agents Can Be Sent to Investigate Ballot Counting Centers
On Wednesday, the Justice Department reportedly sent prosecutors a memo indicating it could indeed send armed federal agents to investigate voter fraud at any of the nation’s ballot-counting centers.
As relayed by The New York Times, three anonymous officials confirmed that, unless the use of force is deemed “necessary,” federal law prevents police or armed troop from being stationed at locations where elections are being held.
However, per the DOJ’s interpretation of the statute, agents are allowed where votes are counted.
That includes locations where polls have been closed.
In Wednesday’s email, Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General Richard Donoghue put it this way:
“[The statute] does not prevent armed federal law enforcement persons from responding to, investigate, or prevent federal crimes at closed polling places or at other locations where votes are being counted.”
As you well know, we’re presently living on the edge — of a Trump presidency, of a Biden presidency, of heavy protest and litigation as the nation tries to find its way to the other side of an election with a host of suspicious events since Tuesday.
What happens next? We’re facing what looks to be a confusing mess that may not get better before it gets worse.
But whatever transpires over the next few days, a flame for fairness must burn on.
Whatever that means in terms of certifying ballots, hopefully, it’s exactly what we’ll see.
The President’s campaign has already filed multiple lawsuits regarding vote tallies.
Nonetheless, Biden campaign senior advisor Bob Bauer says the suits are — surprise — meritless:
“The Trump campaign is continually alleging irregularity, failures of the system, and fraud, without any basis. This is part of broader misinformation campaign that involves political theater. This strategy of disrupting the vote count – as you can tell by the efforts of elections officials who continue to count — is doomed to fail.”
What might qualify as founded? There have been reports of dead people voting, and numbers regarding voter turnout and newly discovered ballots emit an aroma not unlike that of fish.
Meanwhile, via Twitter, Joe’s announced the Biden Fight Fund:
“To make sure every vote is counted, we’re setting up the largest election protection effort ever assembled. Because Donald Trump doesn’t get to decide the outcome of this election — the American people do. Chip in to power the new Biden Fight Fund.”
To make sure every vote is counted, we’re setting up the largest election protection effort ever assembled. Because Donald Trump doesn’t get to decide the outcome of this election — the American people do.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) November 4, 2020
Chip in to power the new Biden Fight Fund: https://t.co/1hCoKB0QfP
How can voters be ensured their voices are rightfully heard?
Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey told the Times it’s a state issue:
“Elections are a state matter, and we have authority as state officials over anyone trying to enter locations where ballots are being counted. Anything else is a radical reinterpretation of the law. States can handle elections, and we will ensure the people decide the outcome.”
And former acting head of the DOJ Civil Rights Division, Vanita Gupta, has called the email a possible “messaging tactic” by AG Bill Barr.
According to The Daily Caller, Vanita asserts the Department can’t overly involve itself:
“Lawfully, the Justice Department can’t interfere in the vote count, enter polling places or take ballots, even in the course of an investigation.”
One thing’s for sure: The election isn’t over.
And even when it is, the fight won’t be.
For anyone doubting the possibility of immense failure at best and sinister intent at worst, consider the plight of Cody Tims.
As I covered previously, in July, Cody received his mail-in ballot.
But the deck is stacked against him actually picking his president — regrettably, he’s been dead for 12 years.
And perhaps just as prohibitive, Mr. Tims…is a cat.
This election smells like Cody’s favorite canned cuisine.
