An FBI whistleblower has come forward warning that the Bureau plans to deploy plainclothes FBI agents to polling stations in Maricopa County, Arizona, to monitor Trump voters.
Arizona State Rep. Alexander Kolodin (R) sent a letter Thursday to FBI Director Christopher Wray demanding an explanation for the whistleblower’s claims that the deployment of plainclothes agents is meant to ensure Trump voters don’t “get out of line,” a move that could possibly lead to widespread voter suppression.
“My office has recently received a report that the FBI will be stationing plain-clothed agents in polling stations throughout Maricopa County. According to the whistleblower who attended the security briefing, the purpose of his deployment is to make sure Trump voters don’t ‘get out of line,'” Kolodin wrote.
Today I informed FBI Director Wray that the House is prepared act if his agents attempt to intimidate or censor voters while deployed to Arizona. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/VrN4LkZk9b
— Rep. Alexander Kolodin (@realAlexKolodin) October 3, 2024
Kolodin made it clear that the House is “prepared to take immediate action” against any attempts by federal agents to intimidate or censor Arizona voters.
“I sincerely hope that this disturbing allegation is false. Rest assured, however, that if your agents here for any other purpose than ensuring that every lawful voter is able to cast a ballot, the House is prepared to take immediate action to secure to all Arizonans the equal protections of the laws.”
Kolodin also expressed his skepticism that the FBI would take his warning seriously given its “pattern and practice of election interference and censorship of speech unfavorable to the Biden-Harris administration and its allies.”
The letter also pointed out that presidential elections are administered by state, not federal law, making any interference from federal agents an lawful overreach.
Kolodin concluded his letter with a message to Arizona voters:
“Do not be deterred from voting by these last, desperate acts of a dying regime about to be swept away by the winds of history. Rest assured, if the powers that be were confident of the outcome, they would not be trying so hard to keep you away from the polls,” he wrote.
The FBI denied the whistleblower’s allegations, claiming that federal law “prohibits” the presence of armed personnel at polling locations.
“Thank you for reaching out. The following is attributable to the FBI: The allegations stated in the letter are categorically false. Federal law prohibits the presence of armed federal personnel at polling places, absent exigent life-threatening emergencies,” the agency stated.
In response to should be Congressman Kolodin, the Department of Injustice has just stated:
— Bryan James Blehm (@BlehmLawAZ) October 4, 2024
"Thank you for reaching out. The following is attributable to the FBI:
The allegations stated in the letter are categorically false. Federal law prohibits the presence of armed federal… https://t.co/3KbFH06f8Y
Whether the FBI will adhere to the law on Election Day remains to be seen.