Key facts
- Federal authorities are investigating alleged election fraud in California.
- The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California and the FBI are involved in the investigations.
- Concerns focus on California's slow vote-counting process and universal vote-by-mail system.
- President Trump's unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud in California are impacting Steve Hilton's gubernatorial bid.
- Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy has echoed unsubstantiated fraud claims regarding California's vote count.
- Democrat Xavier Becerra has advanced to the general election for California governor.
- Steve Hilton has launched an advertisement criticizing Xavier Becerra's 36-year political career.
- A U.S. District Judge ordered the Trump administration to resume processing asylum claims for nationals of 39 countries.
- The judge ruled that policies causing immigrants to be in legal limbo based on birth country violated federal law.
Federal authorities have launched multiple investigations into alleged election fraud in California. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California and the FBI are examining concerns related to the state's slow vote-counting process and its universal vote-by-mail system. These investigations occur amidst a contentious gubernatorial election where Republican nominee Steve Hilton is navigating the impact of President Trump's unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud in California. While Hilton has received Trump's endorsement, the president's low approval ratings in the state present a significant hurdle for Hilton's campaign.
Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy has also amplified these unsubstantiated claims of election fraud, criticizing California's vote-counting process and stating that voters are losing faith in the electoral system. These claims echo those previously promoted by Donald Trump and other conservatives. In the gubernatorial race, Democrat Xavier Becerra has advanced to the general election, according to CBS News projections. His runoff challenger remains undetermined as ballot counting continues. In response to Becerra's advancement, Steve Hilton has released a campaign advertisement that criticizes Becerra's 36-year political career, framing it as a point of contention as the election race intensifies.
Separately, a U.S. District Judge has ordered the Trump administration to resume processing asylum claims and other immigration benefits for nationals of 39 countries. The judge ruled that policies causing immigrants to be in legal limbo based on their birth country violated federal law. This ruling is distinct from the California election developments but involves the Trump administration.