The Justice Department seeks to protect public officials and election workers from threats of harm or violence.
An Ohio resident was sentenced to two and a half years of prison this week for sending three voice messages to Arizona election officials in 2022 that threatened their lives. The case of part of the Department of Justice’s effort to address dangerous threats made to public officials and dissuade harassment of election workers ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
Though department officials are highlighting their efforts to protect election officials, they admit that they cannot prosecute the majority of harassment reports submitted to their offices. Freedom of speech is protected in the United States, so the department can only prosecute threats that threaten harm or violence.
“This group of Arizona election officials, like election officials across the country, have faced an onslaught of unfounded hostility for nothing more than dutifully and reliably doing their jobs,” said John Keller, the head of a Justice Department task force focused on election threats. “Prosecution alone is not the answer. We must do better as a society.”
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the safety of public officials and election workers during this presidential election cycle.
- For the Lord to work in the hearts of Americans to love their neighbor as themselves.
- For DOJ officials as they seek to prevent harassment and threats to the wellbeing of public servants.
- For God’s purposes to be accomplished in the elections this fall.
Sources: Reuters, AP
