DOJ Targets Marc Elias in Alaska Election Probe as Vote Count Begins

Marc Elias, a Democratic attorney and vocal critic of the Trump administration, has become a target in the Justice Department's criminal investigation into Alaska voting procedures. The news arrives on Election Day, a timing that Elias says underscores the political nature of the probe.

Federal investigators are examining whether Democrats attempted to confuse voters by recruiting candidates who posed as the Republican incumbent, Senator Dan Sullivan. The inquiry is being led by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Alaska, with support from prosecutors in the Civil Rights Division's criminal section.

Approximately 20 individuals have received either target letters or preservation letters from the department so far. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has also received a grand jury subpoena, according to a law enforcement source.

President Trump has recently denounced Elias on social media, publicly calling for his prosecution. Elias responded to the investigation by stating that his firm, Elias Law Group, proudly counts itself among the president's political enemies.

Elias said the administration has repeatedly weaponized the DOJ against political rivals despite a lack of evidence of wrongdoing. He declared that his team would not be intimidated by what he called a sham investigation and would continue working to support Democratic campaigns.

Federal prosecutors have not yet articulated the specific crimes they are investigating in this matter.