Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche did not hold back when describing what is unfolding in Alaska's election: 'Let's call it what it is: they are cheating.'
Blanche, speaking on behalf of the Trump administration's Department of Justice, accused Alaska election authorities of attempting to manipulate the outcome by placing a candidate with the same name as the incumbent on the ballot. The scheme, he said, is designed to confuse Alaskans and steal votes.
DOJ Stands Ready to Act
'We want Alaska to have the opportunity if it's necessary after the election to not have this certified without a full judicial process to uncover what went wrong,' Blanche said, clarifying that the federal government has not refused to certify the election.
He noted that while the Alaska Supreme Court ruled on state law grounds, the Department of Justice holds a separate federal mandate to ensure elections are conducted properly. 'So what you have here is the Department of Justice doing exactly what we should do when something like this happens,' he said.
'They Are Trying to Take Votes Away'
Blanche was unambiguous about the intent behind the move. 'They are trying to take votes away from the incumbent not by running an election and not by running on issues, but by putting up a person with the same name so that confused Alaskans,' he stated.
'That's what's happening.'
