'If You Can Keep It': The DOJ’s Midterm Moves
Summary
This episode examines the Trump administration’s unprecedented legal interventions in the 2024 midterm elections, including DOJ lawsuits in California and Alaska alleging noncitizen voting and ballot confusion. Guests Justin Levitt, Dion Nissenbaum, and LA County election official Dean Logan analyze these moves as politically motivated efforts to sow distrust, noting that the evidence is flimsy and the legal basis is weak.
Topics discussed
Sponsor: The Visitors play
Intro: DOJ lawsuits in Alaska and California
Clip: DOJ official on independence
Sponsors: The Visitors and Con Edison
Analysis: Skepticism of DOJ's 20,000 non-citizen claim
Legal context: Timing of voter roll reviews
Strategy: Chaos and communication over law
Security: Election officials preparing for threats
Alaska: The Dan Sullivan ballot dispute
Sponsors: The Visitors and LexisNexis
Updates: Dropped charges and weak evidence
Analysis: Why the DOJ is pursuing this now
Public sentiment: Trust in election integrity
Context: January 6th and presidential interference
Interview: Dean Logan on LA County response
Data: Inaccuracy of DOJ's voter list
Sponsor: The Visitors
Legal: No basis to set aside ballots
Listener Q&A: Voter intimidation fears
Tech: Voting machine glitches and calibration
Observers: Role of DOJ monitors at polls
Security: Increased protection for staff
Post-election: Ambiguity on certification
Conclusion: Confidence in election officials
Sponsors: Allianz and Blueberries
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