Just more authoritarian intimidation and voter suppression
The President can not legally deploy sheriffs or other law enforcement agents to polling places.
— Elie Honig (@eliehonig) August 21, 2020
But the problem is that, merely by threatening it, he will do the trick of deterring people from voting.
It’s a scare tactic. Don’t be intimidated.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is threatening to send law enforcement to polling places for the upcoming presidential election, part of a growing pattern of rhetoric in which he has suggested that he wants to make it harder for Americans to vote https://t.co/UY03fMxjs8
— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) August 22, 2020
He can’t do that. The FBI’s Public Corruption program handles federal election crimes. We would never send law enforcement to a voting location. It has a chilling effect on the voter. I suspect POTUS knows this, but just to be clear, this won’t happen. https://t.co/4p7cs5ApH1
— Jeff Cortese (@jeffreycortese) August 22, 2020
Can the President send law enforcement officers to polling places?
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) August 21, 2020
Facts First: If history is any indication, Trump could run into some legal issues on this. https://t.co/pxIpv4NcZa
Opinion: It's not just about mail voting; they have a whole separate voter intimidation effort focused on the polls https://t.co/gthW0Grpzo
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 21, 2020
Trump won’t be doing this because it’s unlawful, 18 USC 592, he can’t even station FBI Agents or US Marshals at polling places. But the message here is loud & clear, as is the dog whistle. This will backfire just like his Post Office scheme did. https://t.co/qFqM90Vxxo
— Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) August 21, 2020
Federal law expressly prohibits any federal officer from sending “troops or armed men” to any polling place “unless such force be necessary to repel armed enemies of the United States.”https://t.co/63FhWAuv9L
— Steve Vladeck (@steve_vladeck) August 21, 2020
So what Trump is proposing is not just offensive; it’s also illegal. https://t.co/sAy57PUakS
Experts say Trump has no authority to deploy law enforcement officials to polling places. https://t.co/RoyT4vIFC0
— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) August 21, 2020
Analysis: Trump’s claim he’ll send sheriffs to polling places is revealing in a lot of unintended ways https://t.co/DPww1VsLeM
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) August 21, 2020
In Pennsylvania at least, law enforcement (or soldiers) at polling places is in direct violation of the law. It's right there in the PA Election Code. https://t.co/FL9mR2t2qa
— Mike Johnson (@MikeJohnsonPA) August 21, 2020
Bill Barr should be asked about this today – Will he abide by DOJ‘s long-standing precedent that forbids the presence of armed federal agents in polling places. Trump also seems to be calling for sheriffs to intimidate voters. He is trying to steal the election in plain view. https://t.co/1iu3dUhQ1N
— Joyce Alene (@JoyceWhiteVance) August 21, 2020
Thank you, Madame Secretary. May other Secretaries of State join you in your resolve. https://t.co/Zdb0o9L0Ak
— Pam Houston (@pam_houston) August 21, 2020
Federal law prohibits president from sending “armed men,” such as federal law enforcement agents, to polls on Election Day. 18 USC 592. https://t.co/AaRKjk8JLo
— Barb McQuade (@BarbMcQuade) August 21, 2020
Sad! 