U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján has joined a coalition of Democratic Senators urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to sustain the DOJ’s Election Threats Task Force, essential for protecting election officials facing increased threats. Concerns have been raised over recent federal cuts that impair responses to election security challenges. The Senators stress the necessity of safeguarding election worker safety to maintain democratic integrity.
U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico has joined a collective effort by multiple Democratic Senators, including Alex Padilla and Dick Durbin, to advocate for the continued operation of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Election Threats Task Force. This task force is imperative for the protection of election officials amidst a concerning rise in threats and violence directed towards them.
The initiative arises at a time when the Trump Administration has reduced the federal government’s ability to combat both foreign and domestic threats to election security. Notably, Attorney General Pam Bondi disbanded the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force on the first day of her tenure, thereby impeding efforts against foreign interference from countries such as China and Russia. Furthermore, personnel changes at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) have undermined ongoing election security operations.
In a letter addressed to Attorney General Bondi, the Senators expressed their concerns regarding recent personnel and policy shifts, requesting an immediate update on the status of the Task Force. They emphasized the necessity of adequate resources to ensure the ongoing protection of both Democratic and Republican election officials.
Current statistics indicate that one in three election officials has reported experiencing threats, harassment, or abuse. Alarmingly, nearly half of local election officials are aware of colleagues who have left their positions due to safety fears, leading to a concerning depletion of institutional knowledge critical for election administration. It is vital for election workers to feel secure in their roles, underscoring the importance of the Task Force’s ongoing efforts in safeguarding the democratic process.
In addition to Senators Luján, Padilla, and Durbin, the letter has garnered support from a broad coalition of Democratic senators, emphasizing the unity in the Senate regarding the imperative of election security. The full text of the letter is available for review.
Senator Ben Ray Luján, alongside a significant group of Democratic Senators, is advocating for the renewal of the DOJ’s Election Threats Task Force to protect election officials from escalating dangers. The reduction of federal mechanisms to combat election interference poses notable risks to the electoral process. The Senators have called for renewed resources and transparency to ensure that election administrators can work safely and effectively.
Original Source: ladailypost.com
