U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján, along with a coalition of Democratic senators, urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to continue the DOJ’s Election Threats Task Force. This call comes amid concerns regarding rising threats against election officials and significant reductions in federal resources aimed at maintaining election integrity. The senators highlight the importance of safeguarding election personnel to ensure the proper functioning of democracy.
U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján from New Mexico has joined a coalition of Democratic senators to advocate for the continuation of the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Election Threats Task Force. This initiative is aimed at protecting election officials amid escalating threats and violence. Luján, alongside Senators Alex Padilla and Dick Durbin, expressed concerns about recent governmental actions that undermine election security efforts.
The plea for action arises in response to the Trump Administration’s significant dismantling of federal resources dedicated to addressing threats to election integrity. On Attorney General Pam Bondi’s first day in office, the disbanding of the FBI’s Foreign Influence Task Force raised alarms about the United States’ capability to counter adverse foreign influences, especially from nations like China and Russia. Furthermore, the Administration has dismissed numerous officials critical to election security and stalled various operations at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
In their letter, the senators highlighted alarming statistics, noting that one in three election officials experienced threats while nearly half of local officials are aware of colleagues who resigned due to safety concerns. This trend poses a risk of losing essential expertise in elections. The senators underscored the urgent need for resources to sustain the Task Force’s efforts to ensure the safety and security of election administration across the nation, emphasizing that the integrity of democracy is at stake.
Additional senators from various states have joined this advocacy, including Amy Klobuchar, Chuck Schumer, and others, underscoring a bipartisan concern for protecting the electoral process and those who facilitate it. The letter’s full text is accessible for further reading.
In conclusion, the collective appeal by Senator Luján and his colleagues stresses the urgent necessity to maintain the DOJ’s Election Threats Task Force, as threats against election officials are rising. The dismantling of federal resources under the previous administration has raised significant concerns about election security. The call for action aims to protect election officials and uphold democratic processes, ensuring they can work safely during elections.
Original Source: ladailypost.com
