Blanche won't rule out DOJ blocking election certification in 'doomsday' scenario

close Video DOJ sues California over noncitizen voter eligibility Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter discusses the DOJ lawsuit against California over voter rolls. McCotter details efforts to crack down on noncitizens registered to vote and ensure election integrity. NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Attorney General Todd Blanche refused to rule out whether the Department of Justice could seek to intervene in states’ midterm election certification processes, saying there are extreme scenarios that could prompt federal action. NEWSOM SPARS WITH TRUMP-APPOINTED PROSECUTOR OVER 20,000 SUSPECTED NONCITIZENS ON VOTER ROLLS Attorney General Todd Blanche refused to rule out whether the Department of Justice would intervene in states’ midterm election verification processes. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call) "Of course, I’m not going to say that," he said. "But am I planning my days around the election to be somewhere to not certify? Of course not, no, not at all." The DOJ's role in elections is limited under the Constitution and federal law, allowing it primarily to safeguard civil rights and prosecute people who violate election law. Federal law does not specifically authorize the department to challenge ballots or delay a state's certification of election results. Under the Constitution and federal law, U. During a news conference in Norfolk, Blanche was questioned about the DOJ's litigation against states, seeking to force officials to turn over unredacted voter data and halt the counting of ballots cast . TRUMP ADMIN SUED OVER ALLEGED ILLEGAL COLLECTION OF SENSITIVE VOTER DATA FROM 47 STATES President Donald Trump has repeatedly purported that noncitizen voting poses a serious threat to election integrity, although studies and prosecutions have found that instances of noncitizens casting ballots are extremely rare. (Joe Raedle/) Blanche said the DOJ was "not trying to create chaos" but wanted to alert officials to potential problems. "I’m not trying to not have an election certified. Of course not," Blanche said. "What we’re trying to do is guarantee to the American people that the only people that are voting are people that are eligible to vote." In response to Blanche's comments, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N. Y., said Senate Democrats "have been preparing for this for months and will be ready" for whatever administration officials try. "As Trump and his cronies attempt to steal this election, we are fighting them at every turn," Schumer posted on X. "Our elections must always belong to the voters — not Donald Trump." The administration sued California election officials last week, arguing they failed to act quickly enough to review names the federal government identified as likely noncitizens.