Judge denies Trump admin attempt to block key Senate result

A federal judge in Washington has dismissed a unique lawsuit filed by the US President Donald Trump's administration, aimed at delaying the certification of midterm election results in Alaska if Democratic Senate candidate Mary Peltola wins. The Department of Justice had argued that the lawsuit would be impractical, as it sought to block certification of the results if the incumbent Republican Dan Sullivan lost, because another Dan Sullivan had drawn away votes.

The legal move, which Trump reportedly ordered personally, raised concerns about Republicans potentially challenging midterms losses for control of Congress. Alaska is among the states where Democrats seek to unseat Republican incumbents in their effort to gain Senate majority. The lawsuit claimed Peltola had recruited another Dan Sullivan to confuse voters who intended to support Republican incumbent Senator Sullivan.

However, Peltola denied this allegation. Judge Sharon Gleason, appointed by former Democratic President Barack Obama, ruled that such late changes to election rules are unacceptable and would likely instill voter apathy. The DOJ plans to file an appeal, stating that Alaskans deserve a fair election without attempts to rig the outcome.

Trump criticized the legal challenge on his social media platform as Democrats being "CRIMINALS" abusing the law.