Attorney General Challenges CNN’s Coverage of Election Clause

Attorney General Todd Blanche confronted CNN host Dana Bash during a heated exchange on “State of the Union” about a lawsuit concerning Alaska’s Senate race. The clash arose when CNN showcased only part of the Constitution’s Elections Clause.

Blanche criticized Bash for highlighting merely the first portion of the clause, omitting the part that grants Congress authority to regulate electoral processes. “You put up the Constitution on your screen, but you highlighted only the first clause. Why don’t you show the next clause…which says that Congress is allowed to pass laws,” Blanche stated.

The exchange focused on Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution. This section gives state legislatures the power to set election procedures, while also allowing Congress to alter those regulations.

In the lawsuit, the Justice Department leverages the National Voter Registration Act. It contends that allowing a candidate whose name closely matches Alaska Senator Dan Sullivan poses a risk to election integrity. The DOJ seeks to delay election certification if votes for Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. might affect results.

According to Blanche, the law in question empowers federal government intervention under these circumstances. “The second clause says that Congress may at any time by law, and we have a law, and that’s the law that we’re relying on,” said Blanche.

Media Research Center President David Bozell accused CNN of editing the constitutional language to the audience’s detriment. “An anchor who hands viewers half a provision…is running a magic act,” Bozell remarked.

The Alaska Supreme Court previously ruled in June to keep the challenger on the ballot. This decision came despite objections from state election officials. The ruling allowed state officials to determine how the challenger’s name will appear on the ballot.

The challenger, Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., a retired teacher, denies accusations of attempting deception. Republicans argue he aims to divert votes from the incumbent, who shares his name.

President Donald Trump acknowledged he encouraged the Justice Department to take action, stating, “I’m the one that said, do it.”

The lawsuit faces pushback from voting rights groups and Democratic candidate Mary Peltola’s campaign. The ACLU argues that the National Voter Registration Act focuses on voter-registration and does not allow election certification to be blocked based on candidate placement.

CJ Womack is an associate editor at Fox News. CJ has extensive experience in media analysis and political reporting. For news tips, reach out to [email protected].