US Attorney General ordered to investigate possible violations in the elections

US Attorney General William Barr has authorized the nation's federal prosecutors to investigate "material allegations" of voting irregularities before the presidential election results are certified, writes "Voice of America".

Photo: video frame YouTube / C-SPAN

Barr made this decision a few days after the media declared Democrat Joe Biden the winner of the fight for the White House. The Attorney General's move increases the likelihood that President Donald Trump will use the Justice Department to try to challenge such an outcome.

Barr's decision gives prosecutors an opportunity to disregard the Department of Justice's longstanding policy that normally prohibits such open action until the official certification of the vote.

Trump did not admit defeat, and instead announced the existence of a large-scale Democratic conspiracy, spanning several states, to distort the vote in Biden's favor.

The Democrats called these accusations completely unfounded.

In a memorandum sent to federal prosecutors and made available to the Associated Press, Barr indicated that investigations “can be conducted if there are clear and seemingly credible allegations of violations that, if confirmed, could potentially affect the outcome of federal elections in a separate state ”.

Bob Bauer, a lawyer for former Vice President Joe Biden's headquarters, said that, “to our deep regret, Attorney General Barr has decided to issue a memorandum that will only facilitate the dissemination of“ misleading, speculative, fanciful or contrived statements ”that he claims , he protects. "

“These are the very statements that the president and his lawyers make unsuccessfully every day, while their claims are laughed at in one court after another,” Bauer said. "But ultimately American democracy is stronger than any clumsy and cynical party political machinations."

States must resolve electoral differences, including recounts and litigation, by December 8th. The members of the electoral college meet on December 14 for a final debriefing.

Meanwhile, President Trump's campaign team has filed a federal lawsuit in an attempt to prevent the Pennsylvania government from certifying Joe Biden's victory.

The lawsuit, filed by the headquarters and two registered voters, alleges that Pennsylvania's mail-order system allegedly "lacked all the transparency and scrutiny that those who vote at a polling station go through."

The lawsuit alleges that the state authorities violated the US Constitution by creating an "illegal two-tiered voting system" in which personal voting was subject to more scrutiny than mail-order voting.

President Trump, who for months tried to sow doubts about the election results by claiming alleged fraud, has pledged to pursue a strategy of challenging the results of the vote that he hopes will lead to their cancellation.

On the subject: Joe Biden won the presidential election: what to expect for US residents

Trump's campaign headquarters and Republicans have filed many lawsuits since election day over alleged fraud. Judges in Georgia and Michigan have already refused to consider the claims.

Some Republican legislators in the Pennsylvania legislature noted in a press release circulated that they "are calling for a legislative audit of the 2020 elections and requiring that election results not be confirmed until the audit is complete."

Edward Foley of the Ohio State University College of Law, who specializes in electoral law, said the Pennsylvania legislature cannot stop voting certification without changing the law.

"To do this, they will have to try to change the state law, and it will be vetoed by the Democratic Governor of Pennsylvania," Fowley said.

The lawsuit from Trump's Pennsylvania campaign will be heard by District Judge Matthew Brann, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, Democrat, called the suit unfounded.

“I am confident that Pennsylvania law will be upheld and the will of the residents [of the state] expressed in this election will be respected,” he said.

Director of the Office for Combating Election Crimes Resigns

The head of the Department of Justice's electoral crime unit resigned on Monday, November 9, hours after Barr's decision, writes NBC News.

Richard Pilger, who was director of the Office of Election Crimes in the Department of Justice, sent colleagues a note in which he hinted that his resignation was related to Barr's decision.

“After reviewing the new policy and its implications, and in keeping with the best traditions of the John C. Keeney Award for Exceptional Integrity and Professionalism (my most cherished Department recognition), I must regretfully resign as Director of the Office,” Pilger said in the letter. according to a copy obtained by NBC News. “I have thoroughly enjoyed working with you for more than a decade, rigorously enforcing federal election law, policy, and practice without any partisan concerns or favors.” Thank you for your support in this effort."

On the subject: Trump's plans for a second term: what US residents abandoned

According to a senior Justice Department official, the president, government official, or anyone else in the White House did not ask Barr or instruct him to issue an order to the federal prosecutor's office. However, earlier on Monday, November 9, Barr met with Senate Majority Leader Republican Mitch McConnell. McConnell defended the president earlier in the Senate Hall, arguing that he has the right to seek recounts and lawsuits in court.

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