Schumer and Jeffries sue Trump administration over pressure on election officials

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries have sued the Trump administration, asking a federal judge to stop what they call threats against state and local election officials ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms.

The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, according to Democracy Docket. Other plaintiffs include three national Democratic Party organizations, the Nevada Democratic Party and a naturalized citizen voter from California. The defendants include President Donald Trump, Attorney General Todd Blanche, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and their departments.

The claims

The complaint argues that threatening election officials with prosecution violates Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act, which bars voter intimidation and coercion. It asks the court to block such threats and to stop federal pressure on states to remove voters from their rolls.

The suit cites Trump's warning that California election officials could go to jail, Just The News reported. It also points to a federal claim that 16,000 Nevada voters were noncitizens. The Department of Homeland Security later narrowed that figure to 185, and Nevada officials say their records show all 185 are citizens, according to Democracy Docket.

The plaintiffs argue the executive branch has no authority over how states maintain voter lists or decide who is qualified to vote, according to Just The News.

The administration responds

The Justice Department rejected the claims and said its actions to protect elections have been lawful. Spokeswoman Kiersten Pels said federal law requires that only eligible citizens vote, Just The News reported.

The plaintiffs are represented by the Elias Law Group. Its chair, Marc Elias, founded Democracy Docket.