The Trump administration is intensifying legal action against U.S. states just days before midterm elections that will decide the balance of power in Washington during the president's final two years in office.
In Alaska, the Justice Department filed a revised lawsuit on Thursday aimed at preventing the certification of results if Republicans narrowly lose a Senate race. The filing cited a New York Times report that Democrats recruited a candidate with a similar name to divert votes from the Republican incumbent. Alaska is one of about ten closely contested Senate races, and the dispute could leave control of the chamber undetermined for weeks. Democrats need a net gain of four seats to take the majority from Republicans.
In California, the Justice Department is increasing pressure on state election officials by issuing subpoenas as part of a criminal investigation into alleged votes by noncitizens, according to documents reviewed by Reuters.
Taken together, the moves represent an extraordinary federal intervention in state elections, which are administered locally under the U.S. Constitution. As Nov. 3 approaches, election officials across the country told Reuters they are preparing for further legal challenges from Washington.
If Democrats win one or both chambers of Congress, they could launch investigations into the Trump administration and increase pressure on the president to end the war in Iran.
Sources: CNN Brasil.