DOJ Refocuses on Voter Fraud Cases After Trump’s Order/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division has revised its voting section’s mission to prioritize voter fraud investigations under President Trump’s new executive order. Critics argue the shift sidelines traditional voting rights protections in favor of partisan narratives about election integrity. Legal experts warn many aspects of Trump’s order may be unconstitutional.
DOJ Voting Rights Mission Shift Quick Looks:
- DOJ memo redefines voting unit’s focus on fraud
- Trump’s executive order now drives new enforcement priorities
- Historic focus on voter access and racial equity minimized
- Pam Bondi now serves as Trump’s Attorney General
- Harmeet Dhillon leads Civil Rights Division
- Critics call new focus a “political weaponization” of DOJ
- Proof of citizenship voting rule sparks legal concern
- DOJ’s voting section is civil, not criminal — limits apply
Deep Look: Trump’s DOJ Refocuses Voting Rights Section to Enforce Election Fraud Crackdown
WASHINGTON (AP) – The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division is undergoing a radical realignment, shifting its voting rights unit away from traditional voter protection and toward investigating voter fraud — a move spearheaded by President Donald Trump’s executive order, according to an internal memo obtained by The Associated Press.
The revised mission statement now emphasizes election integrity, promising to ensure “free, fair, and honest elections unmarred by fraud, errors, or suspicion.” This shift aligns directly with Trump’s claims about the 2020 election, despite no credible evidence of widespread voter fraud.
A Pivot from Voting Access to Voter Fraud
Historically, the DOJ voting section focused on:
- Protecting ballot access under the Voting Rights Act
- Challenging racial gerrymandering and discriminatory ID laws
- Ensuring equal access to polling places
However, the new memo makes only a brief mention of the Voting Rights Act, with no direct reference to voter access or minority protections.
Instead, it echoes Trump’s language, shifting emphasis to “fraud,” “suspicion,” and “malfeasance.”
“The Civil Rights Division has always worked to make sure Americans have access to the polls,” said Stacey Young, a former DOJ official. “The division’s job is not to promote the politically expedient fiction that voting fraud is widespread.”
Trump’s Controversial Executive Order
The changes stem from an executive order signed in late April, which includes:
- Requiring proof of U.S. citizenship every time someone registers to vote
- Mandating mail ballots be received by Election Day — contradicting laws in 18 states
- Directing the Election Assistance Commission to revise voting machine guidelines
Legal experts say many provisions are likely unconstitutional, as Congress and states—not the president—set election procedures.
DOJ Leadership Now Aligned with Trump
The move comes under Attorney General Pam Bondi, a longtime Trump ally who supported efforts to overturn the 2020 election.
Harmeet Dhillon, another Trump confidante known for amplifying election conspiracy theories, now heads the Civil Rights Division, which oversees the voting section.
Citizenship Rule Already in Place — But Rarely Abused
While the new memo prioritizes ensuring “only American citizens vote in U.S. federal elections,” it’s worth noting:
- Noncitizen voting is already illegal
- Voter registration requires attestation of U.S. citizenship
- Violators can face felony charges and deportation
Studies and investigations have found minuscule instances of noncitizen voting, often accidental. A Kansas law requiring proof of citizenship blocked 31,000 eligible voters before courts struck it down.
Legal Limits on Civil Rights Division’s Authority
The DOJ’s voting rights section is a civil unit, meaning:
- It does not prosecute crimes
- It cannot unilaterally investigate or enforce criminal voting violations
“For the civil section, courts need to be buying what they’re selling,” said Justin Levitt, former senior policy adviser under President Biden.
Concerns Over Politicization and Civil Rights Abandonment
Critics warn the pivot reflects an effort to delegitimize elections and suppress voter access, especially among communities of color.
The Justice Department declined to comment on the memo or its implications.
Meanwhile, Trump has already ordered the DOJ to investigate a former appointee who defended the 2020 election’s legitimacy — signaling that loyalty to election denialism may now shape enforcement priorities.
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