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PoliticsQuiet 19d · day 26

Trump DOJ Charges 28 in California Voter Fraud Sweep, Own Data Show Tiny Scale

DOJ arrested 11 people and charged 28 green card holders with illegal voting as it threatens California officials with criminal exposure over a 20,000-name noncitizen list.

Part of a larger narrative

Trump Administration Election Challenges

15 stories · since Oct 13 · newest 4d ago — The Trump administration pursues aggressive legal action to invalidate mail ballots and remove voters it claims are noncitizens, while courts repeatedly reject…

  1. UCLA analysis finds 42% of DOJ's noncitizen voter list doesn't match California rolls
  2. Supreme Court rejects Trump bid to block 20,000 California midterm ballots
  3. Trump DOJ issues grand jury subpoenas to California election officials
  4. Supreme Court declines to revive Biden-era deportation-pause rule
  5. Appeals Court Revives Trump DOJ's Power to Pressure Election Officials Before Midterms
All 15 stories in this narrative →

What to know

  • DOJ's own case filings show roughly 25-27 allegedly illegal votes out of 45 million ballots cast in California's 2020, 2022 and 2024 elections — about 0.00006% of the total.
  • DOJ has threatened California election officials with federal criminal liability ("aiding and abetting") if they count ballots from a 20,000-name list the government itself calls only "likely noncitizens."
  • A DOJ official reportedly acknowledged the underlying noncitizen list contains errors, and several charged green card holders say they don't recall ever registering to vote.
  • The dispute is unfolding weeks before the November 3 midterms, with a federal judge now asked to block tabulation of the flagged voters' ballots.

The dispute Whether the arrests reflect genuine, if small-scale, voter fraud warranting prosecution, or are a pretext to intimidate immigrant voters and election officials ahead of the midterms. · positions read across 35 posts and comments

most voices

The operation is political theater: the numbers are statistically negligible and don't justify the federal intervention.

  • “Out of 227 million registered voters in the United States, DOJ has managed to charge 90 people with voter misconduct. 90.”

    michaeljstern.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
some voices

DOJ's own actions against election officials and arrested residents are themselves unlawful or abusive, not legitimate fraud enforcement.

  • “Someone should tell these hacks at DOJ that seeking to deprive citizens of the right to vote under color of law is a violation of the law.”

    schiff.senate.gov · Bluesky ↗
some voices

This is an early sign the administration will interfere more directly in the midterms, possibly with agents at polling places.

  • “Are we still buying the federal government's claim that it will not station federal agents at polling places on Election Day?”

    motherjones.com · Bluesky ↗

Trent McCotter Acting Deputy Attorney General, DOJRob BontaRob Bonta California Attorney GeneralDean Logan Los Angeles County RegistrarBill EssayliBill Essayli First Assistant U.S. Attorney for CaliforniaAdam SchiffAdam Schiff U.S. SenatorMarc EliasMarc Elias Voting rights lawyer, Democracy Docket

Trump DOJ Charges 28 in California Voter Fraud Sweep, Own Data Show Tiny Scale
democracydocket.com

How it unfolded 8 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlespostscomments

Peak 83 pieces in 6h at Oct 19, 10 AM; 223 pieces over 26 days (152 articles · 70 posts · 1 comment) Oct 13, 10 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Google News 1Oct 14, 4 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Google News 1Oct 14, 10 AM — 4 pieces · 3 articles · 1 post — Newswires 2, Bluesky 1, Google News 1Oct 14, 4 PM — quietOct 14, 10 PM — quietOct 15, 4 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Oct 15, 10 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Oct 15, 4 PM — quietOct 15, 10 PM — quietOct 16, 4 AM — quietOct 16, 10 AM — 9 pieces · 9 articles — Newswires 9Oct 16, 4 PM — 21 pieces · 12 articles · 9 posts — Newswires 10, Mastodon 5, Bluesky 2, +3 moreOct 16, 10 PM — 3 pieces · 1 article · 2 posts — Mastodon 2, Newswires 1Oct 17, 4 AM — 6 pieces · 4 articles · 2 posts — Newswires 3, Google News 1, Mastodon 1, +1 moreOct 17, 10 AM — 16 pieces · 10 articles · 6 posts — Newswires 8, Mastodon 3, Bluesky 2, +2 moreOct 17, 4 PM — 2 pieces · 1 article · 1 post — Google News 1, Mastodon 1Oct 17, 10 PM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Oct 18, 4 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — X 1Oct 18, 10 AM — 1 piece · 1 post — X 1Oct 18, 4 PM — 2 pieces · 2 articles — Mastodon 1, Newswires 1Oct 18, 10 PM — quietOct 19, 4 AM — 8 pieces · 8 articles — Google News 4, Newswires 4Oct 19, 10 AM — 83 pieces · 64 articles · 19 posts — Newswires 55, Mastodon 13, Google News 8, +3 moreOct 19, 4 PM — 37 pieces · 22 articles · 15 posts — Mastodon 16, Newswires 14, Google News 7Oct 19, 10 PM — 10 pieces · 5 articles · 5 posts — Mastodon 4, Google News 3, Newswires 2, +1 moreOct 20, 4 AM — 6 pieces · 4 articles · 2 posts — Newswires 4, Bluesky 1, Mastodon 1Oct 20, 10 AM — 4 pieces · 2 articles · 1 post · 1 comment — Mastodon 2, Newswires 1, Reddit 1Oct 20, 4 PM — 5 pieces · 2 articles · 3 posts — Mastodon 3, Newswires 2Oct 20, 10 PM — quietOct 21, 4 AM — quietOct 21, 10 AM — quietOct 21, 4 PM — quietOct 21, 10 PM — quietOct 22, 4 AM — quietOct 22, 10 AM — quietOct 22, 4 PM — quietOct 22, 10 PM — quietOct 23, 4 AM — quietOct 23, 10 AM — quietOct 23, 4 PM — quietOct 23, 10 PM — quietOct 24, 4 AM — quietOct 24, 10 AM — quietOct 24, 4 PM — quietOct 24, 10 PM — quietOct 25, 4 AM — quietOct 25, 10 AM — quietOct 25, 4 PM — quietOct 25, 10 PM — quietOct 26, 4 AM — quietOct 26, 10 AM — quietOct 26, 4 PM — quietOct 26, 10 PM — quietOct 27, 4 AM — quietOct 27, 10 AM — quietOct 27, 4 PM — quietOct 27, 10 PM — quietOct 28, 4 AM — quietOct 28, 10 AM — quietOct 28, 4 PM — quietOct 28, 10 PM — quietOct 29, 4 AM — quietOct 29, 10 AM — quietOct 29, 4 PM — quietOct 29, 10 PM — quietOct 30, 4 AM — quietOct 30, 10 AM — quietOct 30, 4 PM — quietOct 30, 10 PM — quietOct 31, 4 AM — quietOct 31, 10 AM — quietOct 31, 4 PM — quietOct 31, 10 PM — quietNov 1, 3 AM — quietNov 1, 9 AM — quietNov 1, 3 PM — quietNov 1, 9 PM — quietNov 2, 3 AM — quietNov 2, 9 AM — quietNov 2, 3 PM — quietNov 2, 9 PM — quietNov 3, 3 AM — quietNov 3, 9 AM — quietNov 3, 3 PM — quietNov 3, 9 PM — quietNov 4, 3 AM — quietNov 4, 9 AM — quietNov 4, 3 PM — quietNov 4, 9 PM — quietNov 5, 3 AM — quietNov 5, 9 AM — quietNov 5, 3 PM — quietNov 5, 9 PM — quietNov 6, 3 AM — quietNov 6, 9 AM — quietNov 6, 3 PM — quietNov 6, 9 PM — quietYesterday, 3 AM — quietYesterday, 9 AM — quietYesterday, 3 PM — quietYesterday, 9 PM — quietToday, 3 AM — quietToday, 9 AM — quiet 12–345–78
Oct 14Oct 16Oct 18Oct 20Oct 22Oct 24Oct 26Oct 28Oct 30Nov 1Nov 3now · 1:55 PM ET
  1. 8

    California officials and commentators call the case overstated

    California Attorney General Rob Bonta said the small number of charges shows there is no widespread fraud, while coverage noted two of the 28 defendants are Indian nationals and columnists argued the federal case undercuts Trump's broader fraud claims.

    “there is no widespread voter fraud…”
    — Rob Bonta, California Attorney General
    1. first by Scroll.in, 19d ago

    • separker.bsky.social

      apnews.com/article/cali... And this will yield nothing... #USDemocracy

      separker.bsky.socialBluesky19d ago47▲view on Bluesky ↗
    2 more of the top 3 · 7 posts in this stretch
    • Nonilex@masto.ai

      I remember when they claimed they found 30,000. This is pathetic. First of all, I doubt all the charged are actually noncitizens. Secondly, the number is nowhere close to that which would change any election’s outcome. # Trump # DOJ charges more than 2 dozen in # California sweep targeting alleged noncitizen voters # law # ElectionInterference #…

      Nonilex@masto.aiMastodon19d ago5▲view on Mastodon ↗
    • have to wondor who voted him in twice and why havent actual govt officials nailed terrorists like marco guy, hegseth guy or the orange tub???

      ghotsunr/politics19d agoview on r/politics ↗
    all of them →
  2. 7

    Arrested green card holders say they don't recall registering

    Several of the charged green card holders appeared in court reacting with shock and confusion, with some saying they had no recollection of ever registering to vote.

    “Today's charges show exactly what that refusal puts at risk.”
    — Trent McCotter, Acting Deputy Attorney General · source
    1. first by Star Tribune, 19d ago · also UPI, The Times of India, The Hill, Boston Globe, Philadelphia Inquirer, WTOP News

      3 more headlines
    2. first by News18, 19d ago · also The Hindu, Indian Express, NDTV, India Weekly, Times of India

      4 more headlines
    1 more claim →
    • marcelias.bsky.social

      The Trump administration launched a sweeping operation in California Monday, arresting 11 people and charging 28 lawful permanent residents with election and immigration-related crimes as it seeks to bolster a lawsuit targeting more than 20,000 voters.

      marcelias.bsky.socialBluesky19d ago1.6k▲view on Bluesky ↗
    2 more of the top 3 · 8 posts in this stretch
    • heidilifeldman@mastodon.social

      “Nothing is standing in the Department of Justice’s way—not even facts.” https:// newrepublic.com/post/216813/de partment-justice-admits-list-noncitizen-voters-faulty-arrests

      heidilifeldman@mastodon.socialMastodon19d ago16▲view on Mastodon ↗
    • motherjones.com

      Are we still buying the federal government’s claim that it will not station federal agents at polling places on Election Day?

      motherjones.comBluesky19d ago251▲view on Bluesky ↗
    all of them →
  3. 6

    Review finds DOJ's own data show negligible fraud

    Democracy Docket's analysis of DOJ's case descriptions found only about 25-27 allegedly illegal votes across three elections out of 45 million ballots cast (0.00006%), and reporting indicated a DOJ official acknowledged the underlying noncitizen list contains errors.

    “Nothing is standing in the Department of Justice's way—not even facts.”
    — The New Republic
    1. first by Democracy Docket, 20d ago

    • michaeljstern.bsky.social

      Out of 227 million registered voters in the United States, DOJ has managed to charge 90 people with voter misconduct. 90. I support charging anyone who commits voter fraud, but Republicans need to stop pretending it is having any difference in elections. 

      michaeljstern.bsky.socialBluesky20d ago83▲view on Bluesky ↗
    2 more of the top 3 · 5 posts in this stretch
    • On Monday, federal authorities announced the arrest in California of at least 11 people, and charges against 28, alleging they registered to vote as noncitizens.

      motherjonesmag@threads.netMastodon19d agoview on Mastodon ↗
    • Trump's voter raids have begun https://www. motherjones.com/politics/2026/ 10/trump-dhs-immigration-voter-fraud-claim-california-arrests-raids-midterms/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_medium=activitypub Posted into Mother Jones: Recent Coverage @ mother-jones-recent-coverage-motherjonesmag

      motherjonesmag@flipboard.comMastodon20d agoview on Mastodon ↗
    all of them →
  4. 5

    DOJ arrests 11, charges 28 in "Operation Protect the Vote"

    Federal agents launched raids across California, arresting 11 people and charging 28 lawful permanent residents with election and immigration-related crimes, all of whom appeared on DOJ's list of more than 20,000 "likely noncitizens"; DOJ filed an emergency motion to block tabulation of those voters' ballots.

    “Today's charges show exactly what that refusal puts at risk. California must verify the citizenship of those more than 20,000 registrants before mail-in ballots are counted.”
    — Trent McCotter
    1. first by Associated Press, 20d ago · also Independent UK, PBS NewsHour, Philadelphia Inquirer, Orlando Sentinel, Baltimore Sun

      2 more headlines
    2. first by NYT Politics, 19d ago · also NPR, ABC News, The New York Times

      3 more headlines
    7 more claims →
    • On Friday, the Justice Department threatened to prosecute California election officials who knowingly count mail-in ballots from people the Trump administration identified as “likely noncitizens.” This Sunday, 60 Minutes reports on state and local election officials who are

      @60MinutesX21d ago936▲view on X ↗
    1 more of the top 2 · 2 posts in this stretch
    • NEW: This week DOJ sued Cali. election officials and threatened criminal prosecution if they counted ballots that the administration claimed were from noncitizens. The Cali story is an escalation of Trump's work to undermine the midterm elections.

      @DemocracyDocketX21d ago150▲view on X ↗
    all of them →
  5. 1 day quiet
  6. 4

    Sen. Schiff calls the DOJ threat unlawful

    Senator Adam Schiff publicly accused DOJ of acting unlawfully by threatening officials over ballot counting as voting was already underway.

    “Someone should tell these hacks at DOJ that seeking to deprive citizens of the right to vote under color of law is a violation of the law.”
    — Adam Schiff
    • schiff.senate.gov

      Someone should tell these hacks at DOJ that seeking to deprive citizens of the right to vote under color of law is a violation of the law.

      schiff.senate.govBluesky22d ago401▲view on Bluesky ↗
    2 more of the top 3 · 7 posts in this stretch
    • AnnaAnthro@mastodon.social

      “…the # Trump admin is now threatening criminal prosecution for # California election workers who knowingly count ballots filled out by noncitizens. Trump added on social media: “They will all go to jail for a long period of time!!!” According to the ABC News journalists, “Experts overwhelmingly agree the lawsuit is unlikely to succeed. But they…

      AnnaAnthro@mastodon.socialMastodon22d agoview on Mastodon ↗
    • MJmusicinears@mastodon.world

      BREAKING In unprecedented and unconstitutional authoritarian move to steal the election, traitor Trump's DOJ threatens California election officials with criminal exposure if they count ballots. Trump is determined to illegally stay in power. https://www. democracydocket.com/news-alert…

      MJmusicinears@mastodon.worldMastodon22d agoview on Mastodon ↗
    all of them →
  7. 3

    DOJ warns election officials they risk criminal liability

    In a letter to Los Angeles County, McCotter said officials who "knowingly tabulate" ballots from people on the federal list could become "aiders and abettors to a federal crime," an escalation beyond the earlier lawsuit's language of "likely noncitizens."

    “If persons knowingly tabulate ballots cast by individuals identified by federal agencies as noncitizens, they risk becoming aiders and abettors to a federal crime.”
    — Trent McCotter, Acting Deputy Attorney General
    1. first by Orlando Sentinel, 22d ago · also PBS NewsHour, NY Post, Associated Press, Washington Examiner, Anadolu Agency, Mercury News +1

      4 more headlines
    2. first by Political.org, 23d ago

    • marcelias.bsky.social

      🚨BREAKING: DOJ dramatically escalated its confrontation with California election officials, explicitly warning that they could face federal criminal exposure if they count ballots from voters the Trump administration has flagged as potential noncitizens.

      marcelias.bsky.socialBluesky22d ago2.6k▲view on Bluesky ↗
    2 more of the top 3 · 4 posts in this stretch
    • 🚨BREAKING: Trump’s DOJ is now threatening California election officials with criminal exposure if they count ballots from voters it flagged. The dangerous escalation comes as voting is already underway.

      @DemocracyDocketX22d ago761▲view on X ↗
    • GaryRLundberg@newsie.social

      Trump regime escalates its election assault on California. Sending intimidation letters (a classic lifelong Trump tactic) to workers who process ballots. California officials who process ballots from suspected noncitizens risk prosecution, US warns https:// apnews.com/article/california-…

      GaryRLundberg@newsie.socialMastodon22d agoview on Mastodon ↗
    all of them →
  8. 2

    DOJ sues California over the flagged voter list

    The department sued California, asking a federal judge to stop election officials from counting mail ballots from the more than 20,000 flagged voters until their citizenship could be verified.

    1. first by Straits Times, 22d ago · also Reuters

  9. 1 day quiet
  10. 1

    DOJ demands California sideline ballots from suspected noncitizens

    Acting Deputy AG Trent McCotter gave California's Secretary of State and LA County Registrar 48 hours to review a federal list of over 20,000 suspected noncitizens and segregate their ballots, though DOJ's letters cited no clear legal authority for the demand.

    “We have not accessed the drive because doing so would conflict with established data privacy and information security protocols. We do not consider the device a secure medium.”
    — Dean Logan, LA County Registrar
    1. 6 outlets first by AP News, 21d ago · also Yahoo News Canada, Toronto Star, WTOP News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Associated Press · read ↗

    2. 1 outlet first by Democracy Docket, 24d ago · read ↗

    • marcelias.bsky.social

      NEW: DOJ threatened to sue California unless officials sideline ballots from people the feds believe are “likely noncitizens.” But the department cites no clear legal authority for ordering state and local election officials to take those steps.

      marcelias.bsky.socialBluesky24d ago1.5k▲view on Bluesky ↗
    1 more of the top 2 · 2 posts in this stretch
    • RonSupportsYou@mastodon.social

      "The Department of Justice's efforts to force California to withhold ballots are precluded by the U.S. Constitution, which delegates election powers to states, and the National Voter Registration Act" but ignoring that, the Trump Administration is trying to interfere with # elections in California: https://www. sfchronicle.com/politics/artic…

      RonSupportsYou@mastodon.socialMastodon24d agoview on Mastodon ↗
    all of them →

Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet

  1. first by Newsweek, 22d ago · also American Greatness, Associated Press, Guardian US, Breitbart

    3 more headlines
  2. first by CalMatters, 19d ago · also Guardian, Hindustan Times, KQED

    2 more headlines
  3. first by Breitbart, 20d ago · also Fortune, Baltimore Sun, Bloomberg Politics

    3 more headlines
  4. first by LA Times California, 18d ago · also LA Times

  5. first by Independent UK, 19d ago · also The Independent

  6. first by Guardian, 19d ago · also Guardian US

  7. first by LA Times, 19d ago · also LA Times California

  8. first by SCMP, 19d ago · also South China Morning Post

    1 more headline
  9. first by ZeroHedge, 19d ago · also American Greatness

  10. first by Courthouse News, 19d ago · also Courthouse News Service

and 17 smaller pieces

What people are saying 7 voices from 2 sites · best of 35 · verbatim

Still unanswered
  • Will DOJ actually station federal agents at polling places on Election Day despite denials?
  • Are the people on DOJ's 20,000-name list actually noncitizens, given admissions the list contains errors?