{"id":2612266,"date":"2026-06-09T06:29:22","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T10:29:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-doj-scrutinizes-california-election-practices-as-vote-count-drags-on\/"},"modified":"2026-06-09T06:34:57","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T10:34:57","slug":"trump-doj-scrutinizes-california-election-practices-as-vote-count-drags-on","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/trump-doj-scrutinizes-california-election-practices-as-vote-count-drags-on\/","title":{"rendered":"Trump DOJ scrutinizes California election practices as vote count drags on"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftrump-doj-scrutinizes-california-election-practices-as-vote-count-drags-on%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2612266&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Trump governance\u2019s Justice Department is increasing federal scrutiny of California\u2019s election system after late-counted ballots shifted outcomes in several high-profile races.Federal prosecutors in Los Angeles have <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >launched multiple election fraud investigations<\/a>, set up a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/handling-of-schiff-mortgage-fraud-inquiry-under-grand-jury-review-source\/\" title=\"Handling of Schiff mortgage ... inquiry under grand jury review: Source\">public tip line<\/a>, criticized aspects of California\u2019s voter registration and ballot collection rules, and sent prosecutors back to oversee ballot processing.<\/p>\n<p>The expanded attention appears to be linked to concerns raised by Trump about potential \u201crigging.\u201d Prosecutors specifically pointed to vulnerabilities they say exist in California\u2019s identity verification process for some first-time voters, and also questions about whether voter rolls are properly maintained and how ballot collection could complicate tracking ballots\u2019 chain of custody.<\/p>\n<p>in parallel,disputes about access to California\u2019s voter registration records continue in court,with the matter before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. While the same level of scrutiny hasn\u2019t been as intense in the governor\u2019s race, debate is also growing over election procedures-such as rules for when mail ballots can be counted-set to intersect with a U.S. Supreme Court case that could affect states nationwide.The effort has also received support from a senior federal prosecutor in New York,who argued that election policy should reduce opportunities for fraud while preserving access.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-justice\/\">Justice Department<\/a> under the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Trump administration<\/a> is ramping up scrutiny of <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/california\/\">California<\/a>\u2018s election system amid dramatic shifts in the outcomes of several closely watched races, even as the state\u2019s election officials were still counting ballots nearly a week after voters cast their primary votes.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Federal prosecutors in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/los-angeles\/\">Los Angeles<\/a> have now opened multiple election fraud investigations, established a public tip line for reporting suspected election misconduct, renewed criticism of California\u2019s voter registration and ballot collection policies, and sent a federal prosecutor into Los Angeles County\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ga-poll-watcher-it-expert-non-trump-supporter-affidavit-sudden-surge-of-20000-mail-in-votes-for-biden-in-early-hours-on-nov\/\" title=\"GA Poll Watcher, IT Expert, Non-... Supporter Affidavit: Sudden Surge of 20,000 Mail-In-Votes For Biden In Early Hours On Nov\">ballot processing center<\/a> for a second time on Monday to observe the counting process.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4599536\/trump-pardoned-mpd-officers-sue-us-over-fatal-pursuit-prosecution\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Trump-pardoned MPD officers sue US over fatal pursuit prosecution<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4599631\/todd-blanche-attorney-general-nomination-senate\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>White House sends Todd Blanche attorney general nomination to Senate<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4599539\/trial-date-soldier-maduro-raid-bet-polymarket\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Judge sets trial date for soldier accused of profiting $400,000 on Maduro raid<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A worker inspects a ballot the day after California\u2019s primary election at the Los Angeles County Ballot Processing Center Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in City of Industry, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jae C. Hong)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The heightened federal attention comes as late-counted ballots have reshaped several major contests. In the Los Angeles mayoral primary, former reality television star<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/spencer-pratt\/page\/3\/\"> Spencer Pratt<\/a> saw an Election Day lead of roughly 40,000 votes disappear as additional ballots were counted, allowing progressive City Councilwoman <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/4599474\/what-to-know-nithya-raman-la-mayor\/\">Nithya Raman<\/a> to advance to the general election and fueling renewed debate over California\u2019s lengthy vote counting process.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The DOJ\u2019s involvement has steadily expanded since President Donald Trump said last week he was concerned about \u201crigging\u201d occurring in the state\u2019s primary election that took place last Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, the senior federal prosecutor overseeing the Central District of California, confirmed Friday that his office had launched \u201cmultiple election fraud investigations\u201d and argued that California\u2019s election system contains \u201cserious structural vulnerabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On Saturday, Essayli announced the creation of a dedicated election fraud tip line, encouraging Californians to submit direct evidence of possible misconduct.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">If you have witnessed potential election fraud, we want to hear from you.<\/p>\n<p>People have been contacting our office wanting to provide information. We have established a dedicated email address for this purpose.<\/p>\n<p>Email tips to: <a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection\" class=\"__cf_email__\" data-cfemail=\"f4b7b5b1989197809d9b9ab286958190a09d8487b48187909b9eda939b82\">[email\u00a0protected]<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Please do not send\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/USAttyEssayli\/status\/2063419378675356063?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The office asked voters to report incidents, including ballots arriving for individuals who never lived at a residence, voters being informed that someone had already cast a ballot in their name, or witnesses observing ballots being completed without a voter\u2019s knowledge.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By Monday, federal scrutiny appeared to deepen further. Central District of California prosecutor Robert Renner <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MattFinnFNC\/status\/2064014580553314632\">returned<\/a> to Los Angeles County\u2019s central ballot counting center to observe election operations, according to a report from Fox News, after <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MattFinnFNC\/status\/2062945463117246543\">he initially made a visit<\/a> to the facility on Friday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Essayli also used social media over the weekend to outline broader concerns his office has with California\u2019s election laws and voter registration procedures.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Essayli noted in a lengthy post on Sunday that California permits certain first-time voters who do not provide a Social Security number or driver\u2019s license during registration to verify their identity using documents, including gym membership cards, employer identification cards, credit cards, insurance cards, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/antibiotics-linked-to-fatal-heart-condition\/\" title=\"Antibiotics ... to Fatal Heart Condition\">prescription drug labels<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">California Is Blocking a Federal Audit of Its Voter Rolls<\/p>\n<p>California allows first-time voters to register using forms of ID that most Americans would find surprising, including:<\/p>\n<p>-Gym membership card<br \/>-Employer ID card<br \/>-Credit or debit card<br \/>-Prescription drug label<br \/>-Insurance\u2026 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/kOEOzpctmb\">pic.twitter.com\/kOEOzpctmb<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/USAttyEssayli\/status\/2063664190473351169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOur office believes this policy deserves a closer look,\u201d Essayli wrote.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Essayli also questioned whether California is adequately maintaining its voter rolls by removing deceased voters, individuals who have moved away, and people convicted of disqualifying felonies. He criticized California\u2019s permissive ballot collection laws, arguing that widespread third-party ballot collection can make it difficult to track the chain of custody for completed ballots.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those concerns are tied to an ongoing legal battle between the DOJ and California over access to voter registration records. Federal officials have spent more than a year seeking to audit California\u2019s voter rolls under federal authority designed to verify voter eligibility. California\u2019s Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta has resisted those requests, arguing that state privacy laws restrict disclosure of voter information. The dispute is currently before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike the Los Angeles mayoral race, the governor\u2019s contest has not generated the same level of scrutiny. As of Monday afternoon, Republican candidate <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4569842\/steve-hilton-becerra-california-governor-debate\/\">Steve Hilton<\/a> had received more than 1.79 million votes, trailing former Health and Human Services Secretary <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/xavier-becerra\/\">Xavier Becerra<\/a>\u2019s roughly 1.88 million votes while remaining ahead of businessman <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tom-steyer\/\">Tom Steyer<\/a>\u2019s approximately 1.49 million votes, according to the California Secretary of State\u2019s Office.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton addresses supporters during a final Election Day campaign event Tuesday, June 2, 2026, in Huntington Beach, Calif. (AP Photo\/Scott Strazzante)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hilton <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/state\/4599751\/steve-hilton-world-laughing-california-vote-counting\/\">has not alleged widespread fraud<\/a> in his own race and said last week that his campaign had not observed anything warranting legal action. However, he argued that California\u2019s lengthy counting process undermines public confidence in election outcomes and should be streamlined before future elections.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The debate over California\u2019s ballot receipt deadlines may soon reach the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/supreme-court\/\">Supreme Court<\/a> as well. The justices are expected to rule later this month in <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/supreme-court\/4495764\/supreme-court-debate-election-day-mail-ballots-case\/\">Watson v. Republican National Committee<\/a><\/em>, a closely watched dispute over whether states may count mail ballots that are postmarked by election day but arrive days later. If the court issued a broad-scope ruling for the RNC, it would likely affect election procedures in dozens of states, including California, ahead of the November elections.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The administration\u2019s election integrity push also received backing Monday from one of the lead federal prosecutors for the Southern District of New York, U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton, who <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SquawkCNBC\/status\/2063968540797931714\">argued during a CNBC <em>Squawk Box<\/em><\/a><em> <\/em>appearance that election officials should focus on maintaining public confidence in election integrity.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Senate banking committee said the vote on the nomination of corporate lawyer Jay Clayton would take place Tuesday morning. (AP Photo\/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) | Pablo Martinez Monsivais<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe had race-based discrimination around voting,\u201d Clayton said. \u201cIt was identified. We had the Voting Rights Act. It was all about access. There was a second element to it, which was election integrity, making sure that once everybody has access, that their vote actually counts.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Clayton argued that while the country has largely succeeded in expanding voting access, officials have done \u201can absolutely terrible job\u201d addressing public concerns about election integrity. Discussing California\u2019s voting laws and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/5-problems-with-californias-month-long-vote-counting-process\/\" title=\"5 Problems With California&#039;s Month-Long Vote ...\">extended ballot-counting process<\/a>, Clayton said some policies create unnecessary \u201copportunity for fraud.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4599614\/mike-johnson-los-angeles-mayor-race\/\">MIKE JOHNSON SAYS LOS ANGELES MAYOR RESULTS \u2018STINKS TO HIGH HEAVEN\u2019<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWhat it is, is it makes the opportunity for fraud so much greater when that is not necessary,\u201d Clayton said. \u201cOne of the things you do in designing law is reduce the opportunity for fraud while not adversely affecting access.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>did not immediately receive a response from the DOJ or the Central District of California.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Trump DOJ intensifies scrutiny of California elections after close races shift<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2612267,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP25323626786364.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[76019,59782,32319,32644,35343],"class_list":["post-2612266","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-california-elections","tag-doj-scrutiny","tag-donald-trump","tag-election-integrity","tag-u-s-politics"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP25323626786364.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2612266","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2612266"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2612266\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2612270,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2612266\/revisions\/2612270"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2612267"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2612266"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2612266"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2612266"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}