PHOENIX, AZ – The Justice Department has taken action against approximately 20 individuals following reports of widespread threats against officials involved in the 2020 and 2022 elections. More than a half dozen individuals have already faced sentences ranging from one to 3½ years. Despite these efforts, doubts remain about whether these penalties will effectively deter future criminal behavior surrounding elections.
During a news conference in Arizona, U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino emphasized the importance of not resorting to vigilante justice or undermining the rule of law. The aftermath of the 2020 presidential election saw numerous attacks on election workers across the country, following baseless claims of widespread voter fraud made by former President Donald Trump.
Arizona, a key battleground state in the 2020 election, saw a surge in threats against election workers, fuelled by conspiracy theories alleging election rigging that favored Trump. To combat the escalating violence and hostility towards election workers, Attorney General Merrick Garland established the Election Threats Task Force in June 2021.
The prosecution efforts have largely focused on Arizona, with seven federal cases involving individuals outside the state charged with threatening election workers. These threats have not only targeted individuals but also affected their families and colleagues, leading some to leave their jobs out of fear for their safety.
John Dixon Keller, who leads the Justice Department’s Public Integrity unit, highlighted that the vast majority of reported threats did not result in charges. Investigators must carefully assess each threat to determine its credibility and whether it constitutes a genuine risk of violence or harm.
Threats tend to peak around election periods, fueled by election denialism and misinformation. Election workers have faced significant emotional and psychological trauma as a result, leading to resignations and disruptions in the electoral process. Keller stressed that death threats have no place in civil discourse and pose a serious threat to democratic principles.
The sentencing of individuals, such as Joshua Russell from Ohio, serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of threatening election officials. Russell, who targeted Arizona’s top election official with menacing messages, received a 30-month prison sentence for his actions. Despite expressing remorse for his behavior, Russell’s actions highlight the dangerous repercussions of escalating political tensions.