The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Oct. 23, 2026
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October 22, 2026 12:33 pmWASHINGTON, DC — In a dystopian moment, three U.S. senators have sent a letter to the U.S. attorney general asking for the Department of Justice to “reaffirm its election non-interference policy,” and, “forgo any actions that would interfere with the lawful administration of the 2026 elections.”
In the letter dated October 15th, U.S. Senators Alex Padilla, Dick Durbin and Sheldon Whitehouse reminded Attorney General Todd Blanche that in Senate testimony, FBI Director Kash Patel said the FBI would comply with the Department’s Justice Manual and not seize ballots, voting machines, or other election-related material. But they also noted that DOJ had not responded to a September 1st letter from Senator Elissa Slotkin asking whether, QUOTE, “DOJ or the FBI would send armed federal agents to the polls or unlawfully seize election materials of any kind during an active election,” UNQUOTE.
After recounting federal statutes and passages in DOJ’s Justice Manual and the Election Crimes Manual, the senators asked Blanche to confirm that DOJ, the FBI, and the U.S. Marshals Service would not remove ballots or voting machines. Nor would DOJ approve the Department of Homeland Security from taking similar actions. In July, Blanche said only that he would, QUOTE, “Follow the law,” but didn’t rule out those actions.
We have the senators’ letter at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources
U.S. Senators Alex Padilla, Sheldon Whitehouse & Dick Durban – Letter to U.S. Attorney Todd Blanche on DOJ Election Interference
Axios – Blanche sidesteps questions on federal agents at polls
U.S. Senate – Testimony of FBI Director Kash Patel
U.S. Senate – Confirmation Testimony of Then Assistant AG Todd Blanche
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – With USPS Blocked from Mail-In Voter Verification, Pro-Democracy Groups Go to Court to Keep Armed Federal Agents Out of Polling Places
American Democracy Minute – Midterm Madness Week: ICE at Polling Places? The Administration Sends Mixed Messages; Some States are Advancing Laws to Limit or Prohibit It.
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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