Democratic attorney Marc Elias becomes target in DOJ probe tied to Trump feud

Investigation focuses on Alaska race

The Justice Department is investigating whether Democratic operatives helped recruit Daniel J. Sullivan, an independent candidate whose name matches that of Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan. Investigators are examining whether the effort aimed to confuse voters in Alaska.

Marc Elias, a longtime Democratic attorney, is among those targeted, according to a law enforcement official and another source familiar with the matter. About 20 target and preservation letters have been issued. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee separately received a grand jury subpoena, a law enforcement source told CBS News.

Mary Peltola’s campaign and the committee have denied any connection to the effort to place Daniel J. Sullivan on the ballot. Similar ballot-stacking tactics have been used by both parties and, though controversial, are generally not considered illegal.

Elias responds to investigation

Elias said the administration had repeatedly used the Justice Department against the president’s political opponents despite, in his view, no evidence of wrongdoing. He said Elias Law Group is proud to represent Democratic campaigns and progressive groups that oppose the administration.

Elias said his team would not be intimidated and would continue working for its clients. In recent days, President Trump has criticized Elias on social media and called for his prosecution.

Trump said Elias and Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer should be held criminally responsible. Elias and his lawyers have been involved in more than 90 voting and election lawsuits, including challenges to Justice Department efforts to obtain unredacted voter rolls for screening for possible non-citizens.

Officials dispute timing concerns

The timing of the letters and subpoenas, sent in recent days, appears to conflict with Justice Department internal guidelines and historic norms limiting investigative steps before a national election. Last week, court-appointed U.S. Attorney in Alaska Michael Heyman publicly disclosed the criminal investigation at a press conference with the FBI’s special agent in charge in Anchorage. Heyman denied the department was escalating the probe or timing actions around the election, saying a New York Times report prompted increased activity. The article also says Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff for policy, suggested on Fox News that officials could investigate possible violations of 18 USC 241, a civil rights law concerning conspiracies to threaten or intimidate people exercising constitutional or federal rights.

Other cases involve Trump critics

Elias has also challenged Justice Department efforts to access voter rolls. On Sunday, a U.S. district judge dismissed the department’s lawsuit, ruling it lacked standing. Elias is among several Trump adversaries targeted in recent DOJ criminal investigations. The department also sought charges against two former senior FBI officials over testimony about their roles in the Hunter Biden investigation and tried to secure an indictment against Cassidy Hutchinson, a former White House aide who testified about Trump’s actions during the attack on the U.S. Capitol.