Alaska Ballot Controversy Intensifies with DOJ Investigation

The Department of Justice is widening its probe into the Alaska ballot dispute, allegedly connecting Representative Mary Peltola to a potential spoiler candidate scheme. This unfolding situation is being reported on by White House correspondent Aishah Hasnie, along with legal insights from Kerri Urbahn.

For quite some time, Democrats, particularly those on the left, have insisted that President Trump is on a mission to undermine the press. However, their silence is quite telling now, particularly after Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty leveled serious felony charges against journalists Cam Higby and James O’Keefe for exposing significant weaknesses in Minnesota’s voter security systems. Essentially, Moriarty has charged these reporters for merely fulfilling their journalistic responsibilities.

Moriarty’s charges against these journalists cross a line that cannot be ignored. The Trump Justice Department should swiftly initiate a civil rights case against her for infringing upon Higby and O’Keefe’s First Amendment rights, as outlined in 18 U.S.C. §§ 241 and 242. If the evidence supports these claims, which seems evident, federal charges need to be brought against her immediately. Failing to act sends a dangerous message about the state of America’s free press.

Each illegal vote, after all, disenfranchises a legitimate voter, which is a fundamental arithmetic fact. Maintaining election integrity hinges on public trust in the security of the electoral process. Tina Peters nearly faced ten years in prison simply for disclosing significant election vulnerabilities in Colorado, until Governor Jared Polis commuted her sentence. Inspired by Peters, Higby and O’Keefe sought to identify weaknesses in Minnesota’s voting system. Higby, donning a burqa, impersonated a registered voter and validated a companion who was not registered. He documented this encounter to illustrate to viewers the system’s vulnerabilities.

The footage reveals that Higby did not need to show any form of identification. His assurances were sufficient to validate his companion, who also did not provide ID. Importantly, neither of them cast a vote. The goal was to showcase, as Higgins did effectively, just how easily Minnesota’s electoral process can be circumvented.

The stakes are considerable, especially with the U.S. Senate race heating up between Republican Michele Tafoya and Democrat Peggy Flanagan. It could potentially determine which party gains control of the Senate. Only eligible voters should have the right to cast ballots, and federal regulations specify that these voters must be American citizens.

What Higby and O’Keefe engaged in is classic investigative journalism rather than voter fraud. The premise of the First Amendment is to safeguard this type of journalistic work. If prosecutors start penalizing undercover reporting with serious charges, it could significantly stifle the Fourth Estate’s role in monitoring those in power, particularly when their stories unveil insecure electoral practices.

Unfortunately, Moriarty, seemingly focused on her political ambitions within the Democratic Party, disregards the implications of her actions. It appears her priority is gaining recognition from Democratic leadership at any cost, even if that means targeting reporters.

Moriarty enforces the law in a biased manner. Consider the incident involving Turning Point USA activist Savannah Hernandez, who was assaulted by three individuals in view of many witnesses and on camera. Yet, Moriarty only pursued misdemeanor charges against the assailants. At least federal prosecutors moved in and filed felony charges against them. Contrast this with her determination to convict Higby and O’Keefe of serious offenses, despite them not attacking anyone or illegally attempting to vote.

There’s a pressing need for a federal response to Moriarty’s actions. Specifically, 18 U.S.C. § 242 makes it illegal to deprive someone of their constitutional rights under the pretext of law, while 18 U.S.C. § 241 prohibits conspiring to carry out such actions. Instead of pursuing two journalists for doing their jobs—highlighting the inadequacies in Minnesota’s election security—Moriarty should focus on legitimate fraud concerns at the polls and combat the baseless claims against Medicaid.

Higby and O’Keefe should not face criminal repercussions. Rather, it is Moriarty and her collaborators who need to be held accountable. Charging them would send a strong message to progressive prosecutors aligned with groups funded by Soros and others: lawfare may result in severe consequences. Prosecutors should be held to the highest standards, as the left reminded us throughout the contentious legal battles during the Trump era—no one is above the law.