US Attorney General William Barr has empowered federal prosecutors to investigate «valid allegations» of potential electoral fraud nationwide — even though Trump and his supporters continue to have no evidence of foul play.
Barr wrote to US prosecutors on Monday, giving permission to investigate «allegations of irregularities in voting and counting» before confirming the results of the presidential elections in their jurisdiction. The Attorney General admitted that usually the investigation of possible fraud is carried out only after the end of the race — however, he considers such a campaign too «passive».
News of the investigation was greeted with approval from Trump supporters, while lawyers and election experts reacted with skepticism. Among them is the Justice Department official overseeing voter fraud investigations, Richard Pilger, who stepped down from office just hours after the news of Barr's letter became known.
