As part of this effort, the Department of Justice (DOJ) plans to deploy local election officials across the country. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said he created the Election Threat Task Force in response to a “dangerous increase in violent threats against public officials administering elections.”
The task force was originally created The announcement was made by Garland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in 2021 after the Justice Department recorded an “unprecedented spike” in threats against local election workers and volunteers, Garland said in September. . announced The group was reportedly assembled ahead of the November 5 election.
This week, federal prosecutors' offices across the country announced local election officials (DEOs) who will coordinate with the task force.
In Delaware, U.S. Attorney David C. Weiss on Monday appointed Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Shamoor Anis to the DEO position. press release announced.
“All citizens should be able to vote without interference or discrimination, and their votes should be counted in fair and free elections,” Weiss said. “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to conduct their campaign activities without the threat of unlawful violence. The Department of Justice continues to work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process. I’ll go.”
Gerald M. Karam, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced Chief of Detectives Bruce D. Brandler and AUSA's Michael Consiglio, Jeffrey MacArthur, and James Buchanan will serve as DEOs.
“The right to vote is a cornerstone of American democracy,” Karam said. “We all must ensure that those with franchise rights are able to exercise their rights as they wish, and that those who seek to corrupt the franchise are brought to justice.”
The DEO will also be responsible for overseeing the district's response to Election Day complaints regarding voting rights and election fraud, Fox News reported. reported.
“The department will address these violations wherever they occur,” the Justice Department said in a statement obtained by the news outlet.
“Our long-standing Election Day program furthers these goals and increases public engagement with the election process by providing a regional point of contact within the department for the public to report potential violations of federal election law,” the department said. “We also aim to ensure trust,” he added.
In his September remarks, Garland said the Justice Department has indicted about two dozen people in connection with violent threats against election workers since the task force was formed.
“These incidents are a warning: If you threaten to harm or kill election workers, officials, or volunteers, the Department of Justice will find you,” the attorney general said. “And we hold you accountable.”
