DOJ Arrests 28 in California Voter Fraud Raids Under Operation Protect the Vote

The Department of Justice announced on Monday that it had made 28 arrests across California, marking an escalation in federal efforts to control election administration. These arrests were conducted under the banner of Operation Protect the Vote, according to a report by CyberScoop. All individuals detained were identified as foreign nationals or permanent green card holders.

Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter stated that each of the 28 defendants appears on a list of more than 20,000 likely noncitizen registrants. The DOJ provided this list to California Secretary of State Shirley Weber on October 13. Officials claim these individuals are ineligible to vote based on federal records, yet the state refused to act on the data.

Federal Claims and State Response

The Department of Justice accused the arrested individuals of fraudulently registering to vote and making false statements in naturalization applications. McCotter argued that California’s refusal to review the list puts the integrity of the election at risk. He urged state officials to verify the citizenship status of the registrants before mail-in ballots are counted.

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security Investigations are actively investigating alleged voter fraud. The spokesperson claimed the Trump administration has repeatedly proven that noncitizens vote in elections, asserting that only Americans should elect American leaders.

Context of the Allegations

CyberScoop reported that there is no credible evidence of widespread voter fraud in U.S. elections, whether among legal voters or noncitizens. The outlet noted that the administration’s public statements and lawsuits often reflect overinflated claims of actual fraud. Routine or isolated errors in voter registration are frequently cast as evidence of larger election malfeasance.

The federal government’s actions signal a willingness to act on past threats to investigate, arrest, or prosecute tens of thousands of California voters. The administration claims these individuals are potential noncitizens, despite the lack of broad evidence supporting such allegations. This move intensifies the ongoing conflict between federal agencies and state election officials.

What should you do?

Security and technology professionals should monitor official communications from state and federal election authorities for changes in verification protocols. Organizations handling voter data should ensure their systems comply with current legal standards for identity verification. Watch for legal challenges or administrative orders that may impact how voter registration data is processed or shared.

What to do and how to stay safe: Department of Justice

• Monitor official channels for updates on federal or state election verification requirements.
• Ensure data handling practices comply with current legal standards for voter registration information.
• Review internal policies for processing identity documents to detect potential inconsistencies.
• Stay informed about legal developments regarding the admissibility of federal voter lists in state proceedings.

Step-by-step guide: Mobile Device Security: How to Protect Data Beyond Passwords

General security guidance from the Threat Times newsroom. It is not confirmed advice from the organisations named in this story.

Frequently asked questions

How many people were arrested in the recent California raids?

The Department of Justice announced 28 arrests across California on Monday as part of Operation Protect the Vote.

What charges were the arrested individuals facing?

The defendants were charged with fraudulently registering to vote and making false statements in naturalization applications.

Did California accept the list of alleged ineligible voters?

No, Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter stated that California refused to look at the list of 20,000 registrants.