The Trump administration has escalated its pressure on California by expanding a criminal investigation into the state's voter rolls, according to reporting by *The New York Times*. The Justice Department has issued federal grand jury subpoenas to local election officials as part of an effort to substantiate claims that large numbers of noncitizens are registered to vote.
The subpoenas target local officials and seek internal communications regarding federal demands, screening methods, and efforts to prevent unlawful voting. At least two employees with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder's office received subpoenas for a proceeding scheduled for November 4, immediately following the election.
The move comes shortly after a federal judge rejected a separate administration bid to block California from counting votes from approximately 20,000 individuals flagged as likely noncitizens. State and local officials have defended their actions, noting that independent studies show voter fraud of this nature is extremely rare and that federal data lists are unreliable. Los Angeles County Registrar Dean Logan denounced the subpoenas as "intimidation," while Justice Department officials and federal prosecutors have continued to warn local authorities of potential legal jeopardy if noncitizen ballots are processed.
