By james art The Department of Justice (DOJ) will deploy officers to district elections across the country as part of its Election Threat Task Force in response to “a dangerous increase in violent threats against public officials who administer our elections,” Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said.
Initially, the task force was created by Garland and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco in 2021 after the Justice Department saw an “unprecedented spike” in threats against local election officials and volunteers, Garland said in September when announced that the group is meeting before the November 5 election.
U.S. Attorneys’ Offices across the country have announced their District Election Officers (DEOs) who will coordinate their work with the task force this week.
In Delaware, U.S. Attorney David K. Weiss appointed Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) Shamur Anis to the DEO position on Monday press release announced.
“Every citizen should be able to vote without interference or discrimination and have that vote counted in fair and free elections,” Weiss said. “Similarly, election officials and staff must be able to serve without being subject to unlawful threats of violence.” The Department of Justice will always work tirelessly to protect the integrity of the election process.
In the Middle District of Pennsylvania, U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam announced that Chief of Crime Bruce D. Brandler and AUSAs Michael Consiglio, Jeffrey MacArthur and James Buchanan will be DEOs.
“The right to vote is the cornerstone of American democracy,” Karam said. “We must all ensure that those entitled to the franchise can exercise it if they choose, and that those who seek to corrupt it are brought to justice.”
DEOs will also be responsible for overseeing the processing of Election Day complaints about voting rights and election fraud from their district, Fox News reported.
“The department will address these violations wherever they occur,” the DOJ said in a statement obtained by the outlet.
The department added that its “longstanding Election Day program contributes to these goals and also seeks to ensure public confidence in the election process by providing local points of contact within the department for the public to report possible violations of federal election law.”
During remarks in September, Garland said the Justice Department has charged about two dozen people in connection with violent threats against election officials since the task force was launched.
“These cases are a warning: if you threaten to harm or kill an election worker or official or volunteer, the Department of Justice will find you,” the attorney general said. “And we will hold you accountable.”