US Justice Department Warns California Over Disputed Non-Citizen Ballots
The US Justice Department warned Los Angeles officials of criminal liability if they count mail-in ballots from suspected non-citizens, escalating a clash with California.
Donald Trump's administration and California are locked in a tense legal standoff over voting integrity. The Department of Justice warned Los Angeles County officials that they could face criminal liability if they process mail-in ballots from over 20,000 individuals suspected of lacking US citizenship.
DOJ Warnings and Legal Escalation
US President Donald Trump amplified the rhetoric on Truth Social, sharing the DOJ letter with a stark warning that those responsible would face severe prison time. The administration previously gave California a 48-hour ultimatum to review the disputed voter list before filing a federal lawsuit to block the counting of those specific ballots.
Everyone will go to jail for a very long time!!!
Acting Associate Deputy Attorney General Trent McCutcheon emphasized that assisting in unlawful voting by non-citizens constitutes a federal crime. Los Angeles County Counsel Mary Wickham countered that the federal government failed to provide an adequate methodology behind the compiled list.
State Resistance and Midterm Context
California Secretary of State Shirley Weber rejected the federal demands, accusing the Justice Department of attempting to unlawfully access protected voter data and undermine public trust ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
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DOJ filed a federal lawsuit against California.
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Over 20,000 voter registrations remain under scrutiny in Los Angeles.
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State officials defend the integrity of their voter rolls.
