Charges Filed Against Journalists for Election Video

Investigative journalists James O’Keefe and Cameron Higby are facing felony charges from Minneapolis prosecutors, stemming from their video that reveals potential vulnerabilities in Minnesota’s election system.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty accused O’Keefe, 42, and Higby, 26, of attempting to undermine trust in Minnesota’s voting processes on Wednesday. This action followed their controversial video release.

The journalists recorded footage of Higby entering polling places during the state’s August primary. He was dressed in Muslim attire to demonstrate how the voting system could potentially be exploited, given that registered voters can “vouch” for others’ eligibility from the same precinct.

According to the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office, a registered voter is allowed to vouch for as many as eight individuals. In the video, Higby was seen entering a polling location wearing a burqa, suggesting that election workers would allow him to vote in someone else’s name and even vouch for O’Keefe, who was also disguised.

“Mr. O’Keefe and Mr. Higby filmed themselves and posted the videos to social media to try to sow doubt about Minnesota’s secure voting systems,” the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office stated in a press release.

Despite the fact that neither O’Keefe nor Higby cast a vote, they both have been charged with unlawful voting and identity theft. Moriarty, who has connections to left-leaning billionaire George Soros, led the press conference announcing the charges.

“If you identify as a journalist, there is no such thing as undercover investigation in the polling place,” Moriarty stated, emphasizing the need for journalists to identify themselves while in polling areas, which they reportedly did not do.

She contended that the charges were not motivated by political bias, asserting, “It is not against the law to be offensive. It’s not against the law to say the things they said if you’re standing outside the polling place.”

Moriarty added, “So, no, we can’t let people’s political bent or whatever they’re here to do affect our decisions in deciding whether to issue felony charges.”

Steve Simon, the Minnesota Secretary of State, also commented, saying polling places are essential to democracy and should be maintained as safe spaces. He expressed gratitude towards law enforcement for holding the two journalists accountable for their actions.

Previously, Simon had voiced strong disapproval of the journalists’ actions, labeling their misconduct as “outrageous and totally unacceptable,” indicating a zero-tolerance policy for deceitful behavior at polling places.

In response to the charges, Higby initiated a fundraising campaign online, stating, “This is lawfare. They want to scare all independent journalists who may challenge them. This is FASCISM.”

He also denounced the situation, claiming, “Fascists lock up journalists,” and insisted that he was not afraid of Minnesota, while criticizing Moriarty with harsh language.

O’Keefe has yet to publicly address the charges against him.