If Trump secures the presidency in 2024, he hints at potential legal action against election officials.
Trump continues to assert unsubstantiated allegations of electoral fraud by Democrats in the 2020 elections, declaring that he, along with his legal team and scholars, are keeping a close eye on the integrity of the 2024 presidential vote.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, and later on X, Trump stated, "WHEN I WIN, those who DECEITFULLY PERFORMED FRAUDULENT ACTS will face the full brunt of the Law."
Trump's threats of legal retribution represent his persistent attempts to undermine faith in the 2024 election. These threats surfaced shortly after his initial indictment in his Manhattan hush money case more than a year ago, and they've escalated since then. Trump has frequently hinted at utilizing the justice system as a weapon against his political adversaries, should he regain the presidency.
Trump frequently disseminates conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 election, falsely claiming widespread voter fraud. On Saturday, he reiterated, "I understand, more than many, the rampant CHEATING and underhanded tactics employed by the Democrats during the 2020 presidential election. It was a disgrace to our Nation!"
Despite Trump's consistent claims, the 2020 election was marked by high security, and he ultimately lost to Joe Biden by over 7 million votes. Regrettably, there's no concrete evidence suggesting widespread voter fraud capable of swaying the election outcome in any state.
On Sunday, Trump urged the FBI to investigate allegations of mail-in ballot fraud in Pennsylvania, a battleground state slated to distribute mail-in ballots soon. He referenced an intereview conducted by former Fox News host Tucker Carlson and a so-called "election expert," claiming that a fifth of Pennsylvania's mail-in ballots were fraudulent.
Throughout the years, Trump has indulged in false accusations regarding mail-in voting and fraud, pointing to supposed examples in swing states, such as Pennsylvania, in 2020. Ironically, despite these claims, Trump's campaign introduced a new initiative in the summer of 2020 aimed at promoting absentee, mail-in, and early in-person voting ahead of the November election.
Election officials have endured an escalating barrage of threats as the 2024 elections approach. In response, elections operations have bolstered security measures in anticipation of intimidation and harassment directed at elections workers and the dissemination of fallacious information about the voting process.
Trump referenced various individuals, including lawyers, donors, and voters, in his post on Saturday. "WHEN I WIN, those who CHEATED will be held accountable according to the Law, which means they'll serve extended prison terms to ensure such injustice never occurs again," he wrote. "Please be warned that this legal backlash encompasses lawyers, political operatives, donors, illegal voters, and corrupt election officials. All those engaged in unethical activities will be identified, apprehended, and indicted to an unprecedented extent in our country," he added.
Trump himself still faces charges of election interference, stemming from his attempts to subvert the 2020 election. He currently faces a four-count indictment in his federal case, while a separate election interference case against him in Fulton County, Georgia has been temporarily halted.
This report has been updated to include new developments.
CNN contributors Daniel Dale, Kristen Holmes, Ethan Cohen, Dianne Gallagher, Aaron Cooper, and Aaron Pellish collaborated on this report.
Trump's call for the FBI to investigate alleged mail-in ballot fraud in Pennsylvania is a clear indication of his ongoing involvement in politics, as he continues to question the legitimacy of the 2020 election results.
The escalating threats towards election officials and the focus on voter fraud accusations highlight the divisive role of politics in shaping perceptions of election integrity, a concern that extends into the 2024 presidential race.
