The DOJ got put on its heels after being grilled by this top Republican
Biden has filled the federal government with his yes men. But that may be coming to an end.
Because the DOJ got put on its heels after being grilled by this top Republican.
A leading House Republican is raising concerns about the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) actions, suggesting there’s “apparent coordination” with Left-wing civil rights groups in its lawsuits against two Republican-led states working to remove non-citizens from voter rolls.
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), chair of the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government, stated in a letter obtained by Fox Digital, “The Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government is conducting oversight of the apparent coordination between the Civil Rights Division and left-wing advocacy groups to impede the ability of states to ensure the accuracy of their voter rolls.”
Recently, the DOJ sued Alabama and Virginia, claiming these states violated a rule known as the Quiet Period Provision, which mandates that voter roll maintenance programs must conclude no later than 90 days before a federal election. In his letter, Rep. Roy pressed the DOJ for an explanation on the timing of these lawsuits.
As the DOJ filed its suit against Virginia, it argued, “This systematic voter removal program, which the State is conducting within 90 days of the upcoming federal election, violates the Quiet Period Provision.”
Virginia, however, has defended its approach, calling it “individualized” and consistent with both state and federal law. While a lower court initially ordered 1,600 individuals to be restored to the rolls, the Supreme Court has since blocked that order.
A similar lawsuit filed by the DOJ targeted Alabama, with the DOJ alleging that voter roll updates there occurred just 84 days before Election Day.
“The right to vote is one of the most sacred rights in our democracy,” stated Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division. “As Election Day approaches, it is critical that Alabama redress voter confusion resulting from its list maintenance mailings sent in violation of federal law.”
Rep. Roy, however, points out that the DOJ’s lawsuits closely followed legal actions initiated by Left-wing civil rights groups.
For instance, the DOJ’s lawsuit against Alabama came only weeks after a coalition of civil rights groups filed a similar complaint.
In Virginia, the DOJ’s lawsuit arrived days after a similar one from a civil rights organization.
Roy remarked, “The cases involve the same or similar plaintiffs and lawyers and follow a similar pattern with respect to the timing of each complaint. These circumstances raise questions as to whether the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division is working with these groups to file cases to keep noncitizens on voter rolls just before the 2024 election and prevent states from ensuring that only eligible citizens vote in federal elections.”
Roy noted that the DOJ has agreed to consolidate its lawsuits with those filed by Left-wing groups, many of which oppose the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, legislation requiring proof of citizenship for federal voting.
“The American people deserve to know whether left-wing activist groups are dictating the DOJ’s legal strategy with respect to noncitizens voting in the upcoming election,” Roy emphasized.
He has called on the DOJ to provide all documents and communications related to the lawsuits, including any involving civil rights groups, and requested clarity on any additional lawsuits the DOJ may be planning against the states.
This week, Virginia gained a legal win when the Supreme Court halted a lower court’s ruling that would have reinstated 1,600 potential non-citizens to the voter rolls.
The Supreme Court’s divided decision grants Virginia’s stay pending appeal, with Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissenting.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, the DOJ stated, “The Department brought this suit to ensure that every eligible American citizen can vote in our elections. We disagree with the Supreme Court’s order.”
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