President Trump is making a final push to help Republicans maintain control of Congress as some of the most closely watched races remain competitive. But the battle for the Senate is also being played out in court. In Alaska, the Trump administration filed a lawsuit to potentially block certification of the election if the incumbent Republican lost. White House correspondent Liz Landers reports.
Geoff Bennett:
President Trump is making a final campaign push to help Republicans maintain control of Congress as some of the nation’s most closely watched races remain competitive. But the battle for the US Senate is also being played out in the courts. In Alaska, the Trump administration filed a lawsuit aimed at potentially blocking certification of the election if the incumbent Republican lost.
Our White House correspondent, Liz Landers, has been following both developments and joins us now.
So, Liz, let’s start in Alaska, where the Justice Department filed this unusual lawsuit. Why is the DOJ getting involved?
Liz Landers:
The Justice Department has taken a series of potentially political steps as Election Day approaches. What has been filed here in Alaska is that they are trying to block the certification of the vote there, but only if Democrat Mary Peltola wins and defeats incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan.
The problem here is that there is another candidate named Dan J. Sullivan, who is also on this ballot. And Republicans fear it could disrupt voters. But that has already been challenged by the Alaska Supreme Court, which said Dan J. Sullivan can stay on that ballot.
The Justice Department is bringing this lawsuit, they say, to protect the integrity of the Senate elections. They claim in their lawsuit that the federal government could be harmed by this election certification if it is – quote – “tainted by a frivolous candidacy because it undermines confidence in the composition and operation of the federal government.”
President Trump was asked about this earlier today.
President Donald Trump:
I’m the one who said do it. They have two guys running – named Dan Sullivan running. So the Democrats put a guy in place.
I don’t think he’s ever voted before. All of a sudden he decides to run for Senate and his name is Dan Sullivan. One is Daniel S. One is Daniel J. The Daniel J. is the fake one.
Liz Landers:
Daniel J. Sullivan has voted in Alaska races before, just to be clear.
But I asked former Justice Department civil rights attorney David Becker, who is also an elections expert about this, and he said it was purely a matter of state law and that the Justice Department had no authority or role here.
He said this kind of litigation is unprecedented for trying to block the certification of an election 11 days before the vote.
Geoff Bennett:
The Justice Department today also announced charges against two former FBI officials for their testimony about Hunter Biden’s laptop. What are they accused of?
Liz Landers:
The Justice Department says these two FBI officials lied during their testimony to Congress in 2023. It was about their involvement in a foreign influence task force in these investigations into Hunter Biden’s laptop and that they knew about the laptop.
Lawyers for one of the former FBI officials who were indicted here, Nikki Flores, said in a statement to the “News Hour” that: “The government’s reasons for indicting Nikki are as transparent as they are unfair in pushing a false narrative to make political points.”
The Hunter Biden laptop story broke just weeks before the 2020 election. I’m sure you remember covering that. The laptop contained emails that appeared to show discussions about Hunter Biden’s overseas business dealings. And at the time, Democrats wondered if this was Russian disinformation.
Geoff Bennett:
And finally, as Election Day approaches, some of the biggest names in politics, including President Trump, are hitting the campaign trail. Who goes where?
Liz Landers:
President Trump will travel to Georgia tomorrow to participate in the Senate race. He will also travel to Michigan on Sunday. Mike Rogers is participating in a difficult election, the Republican against the Democrat Abdul El-Sayed.
Additionally, former President Barack Obama will also be in Michigan tomorrow campaigning with Abdul El-Sayed, and he will also be visiting Ohio. The former president also removed a number of radio advertisements for other legislative candidates.
Geoff Bennett:
Liz Landers, a busy week for you. Next week is going to be busier.
Liz Landers:
Indeed, yes.
(LAUGH)
Geoff Bennett:
Thanks, as always.
Liz Landers:
Of course.
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