DOJ Election Officers Deployed Nationwide to Safeguard Election Officials from Threats

The Department of Justice is working diligently to protect the integrity of our elections by deploying officers nationwide with the impending elections just two weeks away.

DOJ’s Nationwide Deployment

The Department of Justice, under the leadership of Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, has launched a significant operation to ensure the safety of election officials by sending District Election Officers (DEOs) across the country. This initiative aims to address the escalating threats against those responsible for the electoral process. The Election Threats Task Force, established in 2021, signifies the DOJ’s resolute dedication to safeguarding the democratic process.

Despite receiving around 2,000 reported threats since its inception, the task force has encountered challenges in prosecution, leading to just about two dozen individuals facing charges. This surge in threats has left many election officials feeling vulnerable and discouraged. Concerns about the effectiveness and transparency of the task force are on the rise, evident through 100 investigations and 15 convictions.

DOJ deploys district elections officers to handle ‘threats and intimidation’ https://t.co/meKJ5PyfQT

— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) October 21, 2024

Challenges in Prosecution

One of the primary obstacles to prosecuting threats is balancing the protection provided by the First Amendment. The task force must differentiate between legitimate threats and speech safeguarded under free speech rights. A Supreme Court ruling in 2023 further complicated this task by adjusting the standard for identifying a “true threat.” This complexity inevitably hinders the DOJ’s ability to hold all potential offenders accountable.

“I will reiterate again today, these cases are a warning if you threaten to harm or kill an election worker or official or volunteer, the Justice Department will find you and we will hold you accountable.” – Attorney General Merrick Garland

Moreover, a troubling statistic reveals that 45% of threats go unreported due to officials’ lack of trust in the system’s ability to protect them. Growing concerns about transparency have prompted a group of senators to inquire about the task force’s progress and advocate for more action and communication with election workers.

Today, Attorney General Garland convened a meeting of the Election Threats Task Force, underscoring the Department’s #ElectionSecurity efforts to safeguard election workers – whether elected, appointed, or volunteer – from threats and intimidation.

🔗: https://t.co/yqMcsTVfCP pic.twitter.com/xNvNzEZl2e

— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) May 13, 2024

Proactive Measures

In response to the escalating threat level, the DOJ has stationed DEOs nationwide to collaborate with the Election Threats Task Force. These officers will play a vital role in addressing threats and concerns related to election integrity. Additionally, U.S. attorney’s offices are establishing local contacts, like Assistant United States Attorney Shamoor Anis in Delaware, to offer an easily accessible channel for reporting issues.

“A threat to any election official, worker, or volunteer is, at bottom, a threat to democracy.” – Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco