Election deniers who’ve met with Trump urge federal role in midterm vote count

Two allies of President Donald Trump who dispute the legitimacy of past elections are pressing the White House to put federal law enforcement in charge of examining how ballots are tallied in the midterms, MS NOW reports. Tina Peters, freed from a Colorado prison in June, says she has sat down with Trump at least twice, and told the outlet he needs no congressional approval to send in investigators. Her attorney, Peter Ticktin, who joined her in the Oval Office, floated an emergency order he described as "tantamount to martial law." Neither would say how Trump responded, and Peters said her sway is limited. The White House gave no comment.

Their argument runs against existing practice and recent rulings. Ballots and voting equipment generally require a warrant or subpoena, states run elections under the Constitution, and Judge Denise Casper has written that the president holds no specific election powers. Last Friday, another federal judge temporarily blocked two federal departments from warning ballot counters of possible prosecution. Peters, convicted over a Colorado voting-system breach, maintains her innocence. Trump has told The New York Times he regrets not having the National Guard seize tabulating machines after 2020.

Summarized by PolitiKool from MS NOW’s reporting. Read the full story at MS NOW →