US: DOJ to investigate 2020 voter fraud allegations

Bu Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - US Attorney General Bill Barr has authorized federal prosecutors to investigate allegations of voting irregularities before the 2020 election is certified in December.

Investigations "may be conducted if there are clear and apparently-credible allegations of irregularities that, if true, could potentially impact the outcome of a federal election in an individual State," Barr said late Monday in a memorandum.

Noting that any allegations that "clearly not impact the outcome of a federal election" should be delayed after the certification, he wrote: "While it is imperative that credible allegations be addressed in a timely and effective manner, it is equally imperative that Department personnel exercise appropriate caution and maintain the Department’s absolute commitment to fairness, neutrality and non-partisanship."

The attorney general did not identify any specific instances of alleged fraud in the memo.

Justice Department official Richard Pilger resigned in protest after Barr's announcement. Pilger has served as the director of the Election Crimes Branch of the Department of Justice since 2010. Trump's son Donald Jr. immediately slammed Pilger and accused him of having ties to the ''deep state.''

While US President Donald Trump vows legal challenges for election results in some states, President-elect Joe Biden secured more than enough Electoral College votes to capture the White House, according to the projections.

States must resolve election disputes until Dec. 8, before the Electoral College finalizes the outcome on Dec. 14.