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Disputes over the role of federal law enforcement agencies in and around elections, including claims about their presence, authority, or conduct near polling places.
Counts show individual statements. They do not assign an overall position.
2 statements on this page. Dates: September 14, 2026 to October 15, 2026
2 matching statements. Dates: September 14, 2026 to October 15, 2026
2 published statements. Dates: September 14, 2026 to October 15, 2026
2 published statements. Dates: September 14, 2026 to October 15, 2026
2 statements on this page. Dates: September 14, 2026 to October 15, 2026
Role at the time: U.S. senator from California
Statement summary
Padilla criticizes the evidence, timing and legal basis of the federal lawsuit and pledges opposition.
“This lawsuit has no legal basis or evidence behind it and is nothing more than a blatant abuse of power designed to sow distrust in our elections and threaten Americans’ right to vote.”
Padilla criticizes the evidentiary basis and timing of the lawsuit and says he will oppose it.
The issue is dOJ's demand to segregate flagged California mail ballots and withhold tabulation until citizenship verification. He expressly condemns the lawsuit and requested restrictions.
Role at the time: U.S. senator and ranking member of the Senate Rules Committee
Statement summary
Padilla says the whistleblower disclosure alleges officers were told to misrepresent their authority on state voter sites and calls for DHS to halt the activity.
“Federal officers are being told by headquarters to lie or to misrepresent themselves in order to access state voter data.”
Padilla publicly recounted the whistleblower's allegations that officers were told to misrepresent themselves on voter sites. He called for the initiative to stop and for DHS to disclose its practices. His remarks are allegations and criticism, not independent proof of completed false attestations.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Padilla criticizes the alleged directive to misrepresent voter authorization and demands that the activity stop. His statement draws on the whistleblower disclosure.
