Justice Department Targets Marc Elias in Alaska Ballot Probe

Marc Elias, a Democratic attorney and frequent critic of the Trump administration, is now a target in a federal criminal probe. The Justice Department is examining whether Democratic operatives attempted to confuse Alaskan voters by recruiting a separate candidate named Dan Sullivan to run against Republican incumbent Senator Dan Sullivan.

Law enforcement officials and sources familiar with the matter confirm that Elias received a target letter. Approximately 20 such letters and preservation requests have been issued to date. The probe is led by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Alaska, with support from prosecutors in the Civil Rights Division. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has also received a grand jury subpoena.

The investigation was led by Michael Heyman, the court-appointed U.S. Attorney for Alaska. Last week, Heyman held a press conference in Anchorage alongside the FBI's special agent in charge. He disclosed the existence of the probe, which focuses on whether operatives for Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola helped put the second Sullivan on the ballot.

The New York Times reported last week that lawyers for the Peltola campaign and senior aides at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee were involved in the effort. Both the Peltola campaign and the committee have denied a connection to the recruitment. Ballot stacking tactics have been used by both parties in the past and are generally not considered illegal.

Elias called the probe a sham in a statement. He said his firm, the Elias Law Group, proudly represents Democratic campaigns and progressive groups that fight the administration. "We will not be intimidated by a sham investigation," he said. "We are going to keep working around the clock to support our clients and make sure President Trump and his party enjoy a well-deserved beating at the ballot box."

President Trump has publicly denounced Elias on social media, calling the effort a fraud and a Democrat con job. Trump said the scheme was started by Senator Charles Schumer and Elias, and he believes they should be held criminally responsible. Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff for policy, suggested on Fox News that prosecutors might be looking at violations of 18 USC 241, a civil rights statute regarding conspiracy to intimidate voters.

The timing of the letters has drawn scrutiny. Some sources say the steps taken in recent days may conflict with Justice Department guidelines that limit investigative actions ahead of a national election. A U.S. district judge dismissed a related Justice Department lawsuit on Sunday, finding the department lacked standing to block certification of the state's Senate election results.