US Attorney General Todd Blanche has defended the Trump administration’s lawsuit seeking to block certification of Alaska’s Senate election results, clashing with television presenters over concerns about election interference.
According to The Guardian, Blanche became frustrated during an interview with CNN’s Dana Bash on Sunday when questioned about whether President Donald Trump could attempt to overturn the election.
“Oh, stop it,” Blanche responded, before calling the suggestion “crazy”.
The Justice Department’s lawsuit argues that two candidates named Dan Sullivan on Alaska’s ballot could cause “voter confusion” and potentially benefit Democratic candidate Mary Peltola.
Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan is facing Peltola and another Republican candidate with a similar name.
Trump previously acknowledged directing the legal action, telling reporters: “I’m the one that said do it”.
Blanche insisted the administration was not preparing to overturn election results but wanted to address possible voting irregularities.
“We’re not laying any groundwork for the president to do that,” he said.
However, election law experts have questioned the lawsuit’s legal basis.
Notre Dame law professor Derek Mueller described the case as having “essentially no likelihood of success”, according to The Guardian.
