U.S. Attorney General Authorizes Investigation of Trump Allegations of Election Fraud

US Attorney General William Barr authorized federal prosecutors across the country to investigate “strong allegations” of voting irregularities, if any, before the 2020 presidential election is certified, even though there is little evidence of fraud.

Barr’s move was announced days after Democrat Joe Biden defeated President Donald Trump at the polls, and raises the possibility that Trump will use the Justice Department to try to challenge the result. The decision gives prosecutors the ability to disregard long-standing Justice Department policy that would normally prohibit such measures before the election is formally certified.

Trump has not acknowledged his defeat, instead claiming without proof that there has been a multi-state conspiracy by Democrats to skew the vote count in favor of Biden.

Biden has a sizable lead in several contested states, and there has been no indication of enough undercounted or illegally cast votes to change the outcome. In fact, election officials from both political parties have publicly stated that the election went well, although there have been minor issues that are typical of elections, including failures in some voting machines and votes that were miscast and lost.

In a memo to federal prosecutors, which was obtained by The Associated Press, Barr wrote that investigations “can be carried out if there are clear and seemingly credible allegations of wrongdoing that, if true, could affect the outcome of a federal election in a particular state.”

He added that complaints that “clearly do not have an impact on the outcome of a federal election” should be deferred until after the elections are certified. and that prosecutors should open preliminary investigations in such cases, which would allow investigators and prosecutors to see if there is evidence that would allow them to undertake a deeper investigation.

Barr did not mention specific examples of alleged fraud in the memo.

“While it is imperative that credible allegations are addressed in a timely and effective manner, it is equally imperative that Department staff exercise due caution and maintain the Department’s absolute commitment to fairness, neutrality, and nonpartisanism.Barr wrote.

States have until December 8 to resolve electoral disputes, including recounts and legal challenges over the results. The members of the Electoral College meet on December 14 to formalize the result.