Senator Ben Ray Luján has joined numerous Democratic Senators in pressing Attorney General Pam Bondi to sustain the Department of Justice’s Election Threats Task Force, aimed at protecting election officials from escalating threats. Their letter highlights recent federal rollbacks in election security, alarming statistics regarding threats to election workers, and requests an update on the Task Force’s status and resources needed to continue its mission.
U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) has joined a coalition of over two dozen Democratic Senators, including Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), in urging Attorney General Pam Bondi to sustain the crucial operations of the Department of Justice’s Election Threats Task Force. This initiative is aimed at safeguarding election officials from the escalating threats and violence they are encountering.
The Senators articulated their concerns in a letter directed to Attorney General Bondi, highlighting that the Trump Administration has significantly weakened federal efforts against election security threats. These changes include the disbanding of the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force and placing personnel in jeopardy at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, thereby stalling critical work aimed at averting foreign election interference.
The letter underscored the troubling statistics revealing that one-third of election officials have reported experiencing threats, harassment, or abuse. Alarmingly, 48 percent of local election officials are aware of colleagues who resigned due to safety fears, leading to a detrimental loss of essential expertise needed for the electoral process.
The Senators emphasized the importance of continuing the Task Force’s mission in the current environment, urging for an immediate update regarding its status and resources. They asserted that it is imperative for election officials to operate safely and effectively to ensure the integrity of the electoral system, upholding democratic principles.
The collective efforts of Senator Luján and his fellow Senators aim to address the increasing threats that election officials face. By appealing to the Attorney General to maintain the Election Threats Task Force, they seek to reinforce election security and ensure the safety of those responsible for administering elections. The alarming statistics on threats to election officials highlight the urgent need for protective measures and resources in the pursuit of a secure electoral process.
Original Source: ladailypost.com
