Trump reiterates threat to imprison election officials and political operatives if he takes office
Former President Donald Trump on Friday threatened to jail election officials and political operatives if he returns to office, echoing a threat he made last month.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated he is closely monitoring the integrity of the election and declared that “WHEN” he wins, those who “CHEATED” will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, potentially facing long prison sentences.
He warned that this legal exposure applies to lawyers, political operatives, donors, illegal voters, and corrupt election officials.
“Those involved in unscrupulous behavior will be sought out, caught, and prosecuted at levels never seen before in our country,” Trump wrote.
This latest statement reflects Trump’s ongoing rhetoric about using the justice system against his political adversaries should he regain the presidency. His post on Friday closely mirrors one he made in early September.
Trump-appointed judges rule against Mississippi voting law, potentially impacting future lawsuits
A panel of three judges appointed by Donald Trump ruled on Friday that Mississippi is violating federal law by counting mail ballots that arrive after Election Day. However, they did not block the policy before the upcoming election, a decision that could still influence voting-related lawsuits this fall.
The ruling from the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals is seen as a victory for the Republican National Committee and others who initiated the case in Mississippi, a non-battleground state with minimal mail-in voting, aiming for a favorable decision from a court aligned with their views.
Democrats and voting rights advocates worry that a ruling in favor of Republicans could encourage challenges to late-arriving ballots in other states, potentially affecting key races where margins are tight.
States allowing late-arriving ballots include Nevada, Ohio, Virginia, and Maryland, which is currently hosting a competitive Senate race. California and New York also permit post-election ballot receipt, both of which could significantly impact party control in the House.
The 5th Circuit’s ruling is binding only on the three Southern states under its jurisdiction. For now, the panel has not mandated a block of the policy in Mississippi for the current election, instead directing the case back for further proceedings.
Judge Andrew Oldham, alongside Judges James Ho and Kyle Duncan, emphasized the need for the lower court to consider “the value of preserving the status quo in a voting case on the eve of an election” as it evaluates the next steps. All three judges were appointed by former President Donald Trump.
