Justice Department warns Democrats in Alaska ballot probe letters

The Justice Department has sent target letters to a top Democratic election lawyer and other Democrats regarding a federal investigation into an alleged scheme to place an Alaska man named Daniel Sullivan on the ballot to confuse voters in the Senate race. The move is highly unusual so close to Election Day. The investigation, involving a federal grand jury in Alaska, examines potential conspiracy and donor fraud. The letters reportedly went to lawyer Marc Elias and others linked to an effort to add a namesake candidate against Republican Senator Daniel Sullivan, though receiving a letter does not guarantee charges. Elias denied wrongdoing, calling the action a weaponization of the DOJ by the Trump administration. The Justice Department has faced criticism this year for breaking norms near elections, including raiding Representative Ilhan Omar's home.