Trump administration reportedly uses list of 20,000 suspected noncitizens to drive arrests in California
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The Trump administration is reportedly conducting raids in California using its unverified list of 20,000 people it alleges are “likely noncitizens” registered to vote in the Golden State.
“Evidence of noncitizens voting. More to come as we announce Operation Protect the Vote this morning,” Bill Essayli, the top federal prosecutor in Los Angeles, wrote on X, linking to a New York Post story on the raids.
The arrests represent another dangerous escalation after the Department of Justice (DOJ) last week sent California a list of 20,000 people it suspected were noncitizens illegally registered to vote. The new enforcement actions come after the state declined to act on the list, calling the request “outrageous.”
The New York Post first reported the law enforcement action, saying federal agents were “chasing targets across California” drawn from the list of 20,000 names the DOJ sent to local election officials last week.
KABC in Los Angeles reported more than two dozen arrests have been made so far. Federal law enforcement officials told KABC the arrests were in connection to allegations that noncitizens registered to vote, with some individuals also being accused of having cast ballots.
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“More arrests this morning tied to alleged voter fraud,” FBI Director Kash Patel wrote on X. “We will use every legal resource to hold those who violate our election laws accountable and defend every American citizen’s constitutional right to vote.”
The DOJ sent its list of 20,000 names on a thumb drive to election officials in Los Angeles County last week with an incredibly short 48-hour deadline to review and withhold questioned ballots or face legal action.
When California election officials rejected the ultimatum, the DOJ sued for a court order to bar the state from counting ballots from around 20,000 people it alleges without evidence are likely noncitizens.
Since then, top officials in the DOJ have also sent new warnings that state election officials could face criminal prosecution if they fail to comply.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) pointedly accused President Donald Trump of trying to rig the midterm elections, telling a crowd in New Hampshire over the weekend that Trump is “not screwing around” and urging Democrats to be more aggressive.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.