Assign Criminal Prosecutors to Election Observer Teams
House GOP Leader to Attorney General: “[T]he real motive behind the Department’s decision is undeniably suspect given that Obama partisans in key positions at the Department of Justice may well have played a pivotal role in making it.”
WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today sent a letter to Attorney General Michael Mukasey, citing concerns about the Justice Department’s recent decision to reverse its policy of assigning criminal prosecutors to serve on all federal election observer teams. The decision comes amid reports of voter fraud across the country.
“I am deeply concerned about this decision, particularly in the wake of a steady stream of reports highlighting voter registration and potential fraudulent voting activities that have dominated the news in recent weeks,” Boehner wrote.
Boehner noted that several of those responsible for overseeing the enforcement of voting rights laws are significant contributors to Sen. Barack Obama’s (D-IL) presidential campaign. According to published reports, Department of Justice (DOJ) employees have continued approximately $250,000 to Sen. Obama’s campaign, including personal contributions from several senior officials in the Voting Rights Section of the DOJ.
“Frankly,” Boehner asserted, “the real motive behind the Department’s decision is undeniably suspect given that Obama partisans in key positions at the Department of Justice may well have played a pivotal role in making it.”
“On behalf of Republicans in the House of Representatives – who share my commitment to ensuring the fairness and integrity of the 2008 election – I strongly urge you to reverse the DOJ decision announced in September and immediately announce your intention to dispatch experienced criminal prosecutors as members of federal election observer teams nationwide,” Boehner concluded.
NOTE: Monday’s Wall Street Journal and Washington Times reported on the controversial Department of Justice decision and DOJ employees’ contributions to Sen. Obama. Boehner’s letter to Attorney General Mukasey follows and is available here.
October 31, 2008
The Honorable Michael B. Mukasey
Attorney General
United States Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530
Dear Mr. Attorney General:
I have just been advised of your department’s decision to reverse its longstanding policy of assigning criminal prosecutors to serve on all federal election observer teams. I am deeply concerned about this decision, particularly in the wake of a steady stream of reports highlighting voter registration fraud and potential fraudulent voting activities that have dominated the news in recent weeks.
I am particularly dismayed to learn that several DOJ officials with important responsibilities for overseeing enforcement of the nation’s voting rights laws – from access to the polls to protecting against voter fraud – are significant financial contributors to the Obama presidential campaign. According to published reports, approximately $250,000 has already been contributed by DOJ employees to the Obama campaign, including personal contributions from several senior officials in the Voting Rights Section of the DOJ. This news does nothing to inspire confidence by the American people in the DOJ’s ability to assure fair elections and the equal application of the nation’s voting laws.
Frankly, the real motive behind the Department’s decision is undeniably suspect given that Obama partisans in key positions at the Department of Justice may well have played a pivotal role in making it.
On behalf of my Republican colleagues in the House of Representatives – who share my commitment to ensuring the fairness and integrity of the 2008 election – I strongly urge you to reverse the DOJ decision announced in September and immediately announce your intention to dispatch experienced criminal prosecutors as members of federal election observer teams nationwide.
The Department of Justice must use all means at its disposal to assure that every eligible citizen has access to the polls — and to thwart attempts by persons or organizations seeking to fraudulently obtain, cast or count ballots in the 2008 election.
With November 4th just days away, it is imperative to move quickly and publicly to safeguard the integrity of this election. Accordingly, I ask that you notify me by close of business today whether you will restore the Department’s longstanding policy of including federal prosecutors on each of its election observer teams.
Thank you for your attention to this critically important matter.
Sincerely,
John A. Boehner
Republican Leader
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