The NAACP and other civil rights groups sued the Trump administration Friday to prevent officials from sending federal agents to the polls this fall.
It’s the second such lawsuit this month, following one filed by the League of United Latin American Citizens and other groups against the Department of Homeland Security and its secretary, Markwayne Mullin. Both cases were filed in Washington.
The NAACP and others brought Friday’s lawsuit against several officials and agencies, including Mullin, the Justice Department, FBI Director Kash Patel and White House border czar Tom Homan. The lawsuit seeks a court order preventing them from “deploying agents in a manner that unlawfully intimidates voters or anyone urging or aiding voters.”
Federal law prohibits voter intimidation and generally bars troops or other armed personnel from election sites. The groups allege that administration statements have frightened some voters of color and naturalized citizens.
When Patel was asked this week before Congress whether he would pledge not to interfere, he replied, “I pledge unequivocally that I will not participate in your charade of lies.” Mullin said this month that immigration agents wouldn’t patrol polling places but could go there to respond to threats or serve warrants.
In response to the lawsuit, Justice Department spokesperson Kiersten Pels said it was “fearmongering” to suggest that the agency had said it would send agents to the polls.
Catch up quickly every weekday morning with a rundown of the 7 most important and interesting stories. Sign up for The 7 newsletter.
The post NAACP files lawsuit seeking to bar federal agents from polling places appeared first on Washington Post.
