Page 3 - aruba-today-20201111

A3
U.S. NEWS Wednesday 11 november 2020
Barr tells DOJ to probe election fraud claims if they exist

By MICHAEL BALSAMO evidence that would allow
Associated Press them to take further investi-
WASHINGTON (AP) — At- gative measures.
torney General William Barr does not identify any
Barr has authorized federal specific instances of pur-
prosecutors across the U.S. ported fraud in the memo.
to pursue "substantial al- "While it is imperative that
legations" of voting irregu- credible allegations be ad-
larities, if they exist, before dressed in a timely and ef-
the 2020 presidential elec- fective manner, it is equally
tion is certified, despite no imperative that Depart-
evidence of widespread ment personnel exercise
fraud. appropriate caution and
Barr's action comes days maintain the Department's
after Democrat Joe Biden absolute commitment to
defeated President Donald fairness, neutrality and non-
Trump and raises the pros- partisanship," Barr wrote.
pect that Trump will use the States have until Dec. 8 to
Justice Department to try resolve election disputes,
to challenge the outcome. including recounts and
It gives prosecutors the court contests over the re-
ability to go around long- sults. Members of the Elec-
standing Justice Depart- Attorney General William Barr leaves the office of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., toral College meet Dec. 14
ment policy that normally on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Nov. 9, 2020. to finalize the outcome.
would prohibit such overt Associated Press On Monday night, the
actions before the election Justice Department's top
is certified. no indication of enough ballots that were miscast individual State." prosecutor for election
Trump has not conceded improperly counted or ille- and lost. He said any allegations crimes, Richard Pilger, said
the election and is instead gally cast votes that would In a memo to U.S. attorneys, that would "clearly not im- he would step down from
claiming without evidence shift the outcome. obtained by The Associ- pact the outcome of a that post in response to the
that there has been a In fact, election officials ated Press, Barr wrote that federal election" should be attorney general's memo,
widespread, multi-state from both political parties investigations "may be con- delayed until after those according to an email he
conspiracy by Democrats have publicly stated the ducted if there are clear elections are certified and sent to colleagues and ob-
to skew the vote tally in election went well, though and apparently-credible prosecutors should likely tained by the AP. He is still
Biden's favor. there have been minor is- allegations of irregularities open so-called preliminary expected to remain as an
Biden holds a sizable lead sues that are typical in that, if true, could poten- inquiries, which would al- attorney within the Justice
in multiple battleground elections, including voting tially impact the outcome low investigators and pros- Department's criminal divi-
states and there has been machines breaking and of a federal election in an ecutors to see if there is sion. q

McConnell, Schumer to lead, but Senate majority uncertain

By LISA MASCARO tions, with their entire lead- some 20 years. Two other
AP Congressional Corre- ership teams set to be rein- seats in North Carolina and
spondent stated. Alaska remain too early to
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen- But it's still to be determined call. In North Carolina, Sen.
ators chose party leaders whether McConnell will Thom Tillis is trying to fend
Tuesday with few changes retain his role as majority off Democratic challenger
at the top, but it's unclear leader or cede it to Schum- Cal Cunningham in a tight
who will be the majority er as the final races for the race. Alaska GOP Sen. Dan
leader in the new Congress U.S. Senate play out. Sullivan is favored for an-
with no party having se- Last week's elections left other term against Al Gross,

cured control of the Senate the chamber split, 48-48, an independent running as
until a January runoff elec- heading into the new Con- a Democrat.
tion in Georgia. gress next year. Republi- Even if Republicans secure
Sen. Mitch McConnell, cans brushed back Demo- the final two races where
R-Ky., won another term as cratic challengers in sever- ballots are still being count-
Republican leader, his of- al states, but failed to lock ed in North Carolina and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., answers ques-
tions after Senate Republicans held leadership elections, on
fice said, cementing his role down the seats needed to Alaska, they would still fall Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020.
as the longest-serving GOP retain their majority. short of the 51 seats need- Associated Press
leader in U.S. history. Sen. Races for two seats in ed.
Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. Georgia heading to a Jan. The math has become crats would result in control tions in the weeks ahead.
won his party's support to 5 runoff are swiftly becom- more challenging for Mc- over the chamber. But Re- GOP Sen. Kelly Loeffler
stay on leading the Demo- ing a showdown over con- Connell because the vice publicans would need 51 will face Rafael Warnock,
crats, according to a Dem- trol of the chamber. The president of the party hold- seats to cement their hold a Black pastor from the
ocrat granted anonymity state is closely divided, ing the White House casts on power. church where Rev. Martin
to discuss the closed-door with Democrats making the tie-breaking vote in The stakes are high for all Luther King, Jr. preached.
balloting. gains on Republicans, fu- the Senate. Next year that sides, with strategists ex- And Republican Sen. David
None of the leaders were eled by a surge of new vot- would be Vice President- pecting an eye-popping Perdue, a top Trump ally,
being challenged in Tues- ers. But no Democrat has elect Kamala Harris. That $500 million could be spent will face Democratic chal-
day's private party elec- been elected senator in means 50 seats for Demo- on the Georgia runoff elec- lenger Jon Ossoff.q