CA, US & World
Michigan Attorney General Rejects Trump Administration Demand for Detroit-Area Ballots
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan’s top leaders have formed a united front to reject an unprecedented demand from the U.S. Department of Justice to turn over ballots and voting materials from the 2024 general election. Attorney General Dana Nessel, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson issued a sharp rebuke over the weekend, labeling the federal request a "weaponization" of the Justice Department.
The conflict began when Harmeet Dhillon, the DOJ’s assistant attorney general for civil rights, sent a formal demand to the Wayne County Clerk’s office on April 14, 2026. The letter requested the immediate production of all ballots, ballot receipts, and envelopes from the November 2024 election within a two-week window.
Dhillon cited a "history" of fraud allegations in Wayne County as the primary justification for the request. However, Michigan officials pointed out that the examples provided in the DOJ’s letter were either isolated cases of voter fraud from 2020 that were already successfully prosecuted by the state or debunked conspiracy theories that have been repeatedly rejected by both federal and state courts.
"Once again, President Trump is weaponizing the Justice Department in an attempt to sabotage our democratic process and turn it into his own personal agency to interfere in state elections," Nessel stated in a joint response. "This request is as absurd as it is baseless."
The standoff in Michigan is not an isolated event. State leaders highlighted what they called a "troubling pattern" of federal efforts to seize election materials in several battleground states. In January, the FBI seized 2020 ballots from an elections center in Fulton County, Georgia, and similar demands for non-public voter data and physical ballots have been reported in Arizona and Missouri over the last several months. Just last Friday, a federal judge blocked a DOJ bid to force Rhode Island to turn over data on 750,000 registered voters.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson suggested the administration's goal is to "sow seeds of doubt about the legitimacy of the results" ahead of the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race.
Wayne County, which includes the city of Detroit, has long been a focal point for election challenges. Attorney General Nessel emphasized that her office has found no evidence of widespread fraud that would justify such a broad seizure of materials. She argued that the 43 local clerks who actually retain the ballots should not be subjected to "fishing expeditions" based on speculative evidence.
Governor Whitmer echoed these concerns, stating that Michigan’s elections remain safe and secure. "More than 1,600 locally elected clerks across Michigan ensure that every citizen can vote and have their vote counted. This demand is a poorly disguised attempt to justify more doubt and misinformation," she said.
While the Trump administration has suggested it may seek a court order if the county fails to comply by the end of the month, Michigan’s legal team has stated they are "ready to defend" the state’s election processes in court to protect the privacy of Michigan voters.
Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.
By: CNN Newsource
April 20, 2026
Latest Instagram Posts
Palm Desert’s future takes center stage next week. The Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce presents the 2026 State of the City Address & Luncheon on Friday, September 18, at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort. The event brings together local business leaders, community members and city stakeholders for an inside look at the priorities, opportunities and future of Palm Desert. Friday, September 18 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort Palm Desert Individual tickets are $85 for Chamber members and $95 for non-members. Get the details and registration information from the Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce. #PalmDesert #StateOfTheCity #CoachellaValley #PalmDesertBusiness #GreaterPalmSprings #PalmDesertChamber
25 years later, the memories of 9/11 remain vivid for the firefighters who witnessed the tragedy firsthand. A longtime FDNY firefighter reflects on the trauma, loss and moments that have stayed with him a quarter-century after the attacks. #911 #September11 #NeverForget #FDNY #Firefighter #911Anniversary #25YearsLater #NewYorkCity #Remembering911 #NBCTPalmSprings
A troubling history is coming to light in a Palm Desert husband’s death. 65-year old Vicky Kim is accused in the death of her husband — but prosecutors say she had previously faced several domestic violence cases involving him. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office says it had secured protective orders against Kim before a judge later resolved her cases as misdemeanors, released her from custody and terminated those orders. Now, Kim is expected to be arraigned in connection with her husband’s death. Court records allege the weapon used was a flagpole.
☕️🔥 How hot is TOO hot? A new study finds that drinking scalding-hot beverages may be linked to nearly 3 times the risk of esophageal cancer—the most common type of cancer affecting the esophagus. The takeaway? Let that coffee, tea or other hot drink cool down before taking a sip. ❤️ #HealthNews #EsophagealCancer #CancerRisk #HotBeverages #Coffee #Tea #CancerAwareness #HealthyHabits #HealthTips
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. The squishy craze!
Coachella city council unanimously approved an anti-nepotism rule that ban an any Councilmember from appointing a family member or household member to the city’s commissions and committees. Tune in to our 11 p.m newscast as our @newsbyalondra breaks down the policy.
An anti-nepotism rule will be discussed and voted on at tonight’s Coachella City Council meeting - that would ban city council members from appointing their own family members or household members to commissions and committees. Tune in to our 8:30 p.m newscast and our socials and website as our @newsbyalondra brings us the latest details on that final vote.
☕️ Social Time with Thalia & Jerry. What’s your favorite NFL team?
A major cleanup is underway after powerful waves damaged 14 beachfront homes near Capistrano Beach in Orange County. Residents are concerned their homes could remain vulnerable without protective measures in place. Crews are clearing debris, while efforts to bring in protective boulders were delayed by high tide. #California #OrangeCounty #CapistranoBeach #CoastalWaves #Beachfront #WeatherNews
Two new Girl Scout cookies are coming in 2027 🍪 Meet Sparkables: a crunchy oatmeal cookie with chocolate chips and colorful sprinkles, developed with Partake in a facility designed to avoid the nine major food allergens. And for the pups: Patch Pals 🐾 Soft-baked, blueberry muffin-flavored dog cookies in four adorable designs. Both will be available online beginning in January. Which one are you most excited to try? #GirlScouts #GirlScoutCookies #NewCookies #DogTreats #FoodAllergyFriendly #CookieSeason