Justice Dept. Shifts Focus to Voter Fraud, Critics Warn of Undermining Voting Rights

May 3, 2025
Justice Dept. Shifts Focus to Voter Fraud, Critics Warn of Undermining Voting Rights
  • Pam Bondi, a Trump ally, has been appointed as the Attorney General, while Harmeet Dhillon, who supports Trump's claims about voting fraud, will lead the Civil Rights Division.

  • The Justice Department's new mission statement emphasizes combating alleged voter fraud, rather than ensuring access to voting for all citizens, despite mentioning the Voting Rights Act.

  • This shift aligns with Trump's executive order on election procedures, which mandates strict regulations, including proof of citizenship for voter registration.

  • Despite evidence showing noncitizen voting is exceedingly rare, Republicans, including Trump, continue to advocate for stricter election laws based on unfounded claims.

  • Experts warn that the civil rights section's effectiveness is limited, as it must rely on judicial approval for its actions concerning voting rights.

  • An internal memo reveals that the Justice Department's Voting Section will shift its focus from protecting voting rights to investigating voter fraud and ensuring elections are free from suspicion.

  • Former Attorney General William Barr has stated that there is no evidence of widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election, a conclusion supported by recounts and audits.

  • This new direction reflects a response to conspiracy theories promoted by Trump regarding his 2020 election loss, despite previous findings debunking claims of widespread fraud.

  • Critics, including former DOJ staff like Stacey Young, argue that the division's role should focus on ensuring access to the polls rather than perpetuating unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud.

  • Legal analysts contend that much of Trump's executive order may be unconstitutional, as the Constitution assigns the authority to set election procedures to states and Congress.

  • Trump has indicated a desire to use the Justice Department to investigate individuals who defended the integrity of the 2020 election results.

  • Historically, investigations have revealed that instances of noncitizen voting are minimal and often accidental, contradicting the narrative pushed by some Republican leaders.

Summary based on 8 sources


Get a daily email with more World News stories

More Stories