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GOP AGs fume over Justice Department’s plans to ‘intrude’ in states’ elections

Fox’s first appearance – State attorneys general are warning the Justice Department against a plan that Attorney General Merrick Garland says suggests an “infringement” on states’ authority to conduct elections.

A group of 16 Republican prosecutors led by Indiana’s Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita on Wednesday accused Merrick of the March 3 attack at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Selma, Alabama, that “democracy” was in decline. Sent a letter criticizing Attorney General Garland’s statements. Attack with “discriminatory, onerous and unnecessary restrictions on access to ballots.”

“The Department of Justice does not have the authority to direct states on matters that concern their sovereignty to ensure safe, secure, and free elections,” the letter said.

In March, Garland announced the creation of the Justice Department’s Election Threat Task Force and doubling the number of attorneys in the Civil Rights Division’s voting division.

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Attorney General Merrick Garland said last month that “the right to vote is still under attack.” (Paul J. Richards/AFP via Getty Images)

“The right to vote is still under attack,” Garland said last month. “That’s why we challenge efforts by states and jurisdictions to introduce discriminatory, burdensome, and unnecessary restrictions on access to ballots, such as voting by mail, the use of drop boxes, and voter ID requirements. I’m chanting.”

“That’s why we’re working to stop the adoption of discriminatory redistricting plans that dilute the votes of Black voters and other people of color. They fail to provide accessible voting centers for voters with disabilities. We have a responsibility to our jurisdiction.”

In their letter, the AGs said Garland’s actions amounted to a “use of arms” against the states and that his “views on elections pose not only a serious threat to federalism and the principles of separation of powers, but also a serious threat to our democracy. It also poses a serious threat to the rule of law.” . ”

“We don’t know exactly what strategy the Department of Justice intends to take with its large army of election lawyers, but we will vigorously defend election laws. We will not intimidate or incite fear. We will not allow the will of the people to be superseded,” they wrote.

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In their letter, the AGs said that Attorney General Merrick Garland’s actions amounted to “the use of arms” against the states, and that his “views on elections not only pose a serious threat to the principles of federalism and the separation of powers; “This is a serious threat to democracy and society.” rule of law. “ (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

“The Biden administration is using the U.S. Department of Justice as a weapon against states,” Rokita told Fox News Digital. “These actions pose a direct threat to democracy, election integrity, and the rule of law. We will stand up and defend our legitimate authority within the framework of American federalism.”

“Voter confidence is at an all-time low,” he said. “The U.S. Department of Justice should be defending voter safety measures, not attacking states that implement them. And it should also respect the constitutional provisions that give states the role of regulating elections.” Should.”

The AGs said Garland’s claim that voter ID is an “unnecessary restriction on access to the ballot” is false.

“On the contrary, voter ID laws prevent voter fraud by discouraging people from impersonating others at the polling place,” they wrote.

Auditors note that the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that voter ID laws are constitutional and do not impose a burden on voters.

They also write that “voter fraud and voter impersonation are very real and occur frequently.”

The AGs also dispute Garland’s claim that some states have imposed “unnecessary restrictions” related to absentee voting, such as “mail-in voting” and “the use of drop boxes.” Ta.

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Attorney General Todd Rokita

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita; (Daron Cummings)

“Multiple security risks exist with mail-in voting and drop boxes, and these voting methods have been linked to widespread election fraud,” they noted.

Garland also said the Voting Rights Act had been “significantly weakened” by “increasing legislative efforts that make it harder for millions of voters to cast their votes and elect the representatives of their choice.” insisted.

“This statement is factually incorrect,” the audit committee wrote. “The Voting Rights Act is not under attack. The election security measures passed by states do not ‘make it harder to vote’ or dismantle the right to vote.

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“Instead, common sense election laws strengthen election processes to ensure free and fair elections are held across states, especially as voter fraud exists.”

“The 2020 general election caused massive chaos and distrust in institutions across the country,” they said.

“Public confidence in our election system is at a record low, with more than 30% of voters believing the 2020 election was stolen due to voter fraud. “You continue to sow seeds of mistrust among the American people,” they wrote.

The Department of Justice did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

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