Attorney General Merrick Garland outlined the Department of Justice’s Election Threats Task Force in a meeting on Wednesday, emphasizing the department’s dedication to investigating threats against election workers in the lead-up to the presidential election.
Joined by FBI Director Christopher Wray and other officials, Garland emphasized the department’s stance, saying, “The Justice Department will continue to relentlessly protect the rights of all Americans to peacefully express their opinions, beliefs, and ideas. But the promise of our democracy is that people will not employ violence to achieve their preferred outcomes.”
Garland further noted, “The task force has been marshaling the full resources of the Justice Department to aggressively investigate and prosecute threats targeting election workers, officials, and volunteers.”
The meeting coincided with the DOJ filing charges against two individuals and seizing several internet domains allegedly used in a foreign influence campaign directed by Russia, according to CBS News. The Justice Department has previously raised concerns about foreign interference in the upcoming elections, particularly from Russia.
Earlier this summer, an official from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence cautioned that “Russia is taking a whole-of-government approach to influence the election, including the presidential race.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for more updates.