The legal challenge centres on the Trump administration’s efforts to investigate alleged voter fraud and non-citizen voting, which the president has repeatedly described as widespread. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
\n\nA US federal judge has temporarily barred President Donald Trump’s administration from threatening state and local election officials with criminal prosecution over the processing and counting of ballots in the 2026 midterm elections.
\n\nOn Friday, US District Judge Trina Thompson of the Northern District of California issued a temporary restraining order against the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following a lawsuit filed by several labour groups. The plaintiffs accused the agencies of intimidating and coercing election officials in the run-up to the midterm elections.
\n\n“Free exercise of the right to vote is a core tenet of our democracy. It requires safeguarding to ensure full participation and public trust in our elections. Election Day is around the corner,” Thompson wrote in her opinion.
\n\n“Ballots have already been issued. Americans have already begun voting. Workers have already begun processing ballots. Given the consequences of inaction, the Court sees no reason to delay its ruling,” she added.
\n\nThe legal challenge centres on the Trump administration’s efforts to investigate…
Original source: https://www.timesnownews.com/world
