Trump Says He Ordered DOJ Lawsuit to Block Certification of Alaska Senate Election if Republican Loses

US President Donald Trump said Friday that he personally directed the Justice Department to file a lawsuit seeking to block certification of Alaska’s Senate election results if incumbent Republican Senator Dan Sullivan loses the November 3 midterm election.

The move has raised fresh concerns about whether Trump would accept an unfavorable election outcome, particularly as Democrats seek to regain control of Congress.

Speaking to reporters while traveling to Florida, Trump acknowledged his role in the decision, saying, “I’m the one that said, ‘Do it.’” He was scheduled to vote early in Florida ahead of the midterm elections, which will determine control of both chambers of Congress. Republicans currently hold majorities in the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The lawsuit, filed by the Justice Department on Thursday, centers on the Alaska Senate race, where Republican incumbent Dan S. Sullivan is facing Democratic challenger Mary Peltola, a former congresswoman, along with another candidate named Daniel J. Sullivan Jr.

The Justice Department alleges that the second candidate’s presence on the ballot could confuse voters and divert votes from the incumbent Republican, potentially benefiting Peltola.

According to the lawsuit, the additional candidate’s participation is intended to reduce the number of votes received by Senator Sullivan and improve Peltola’s chances of winning. Democrats and Daniel J. Sullivan have denied the allegations.

The Justice Department has asked a federal court to prevent Alaska officials from certifying the election results if Senator Sullivan loses by a margin smaller than the number of votes received by the other Sullivan. The department wants certification delayed while authorities investigate whether voter confusion affected the outcome.

Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher from the fishing community of Petersburg, has maintained that he is running independently. Alaska’s Supreme Court previously ruled that he could remain on the ballot. The state’s ballot distinguishes the candidates by their middle initials and other identifying information.

Concerns Over Election Integrity

The lawsuit comes amid broader concerns about the Trump administration’s approach to election oversight and the possibility of disputes over the results of the November midterms.

Following his defeat by Democrat Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, Trump attempted to overturn the outcome. He has also repeatedly questioned the integrity of US elections.

With Democrats seeking congressional gains in November, the Alaska Senate race has attracted particular attention. A Democratic victory in the House could provide a significant check on the administration’s policies through increased investigations and congressional oversight. A change in Senate control could also affect presidential nominations and the administration’s legislative agenda.

The Justice Department’s intervention before votes are counted has prompted criticism from Democrats and election-law observers, who have raised questions about federal authority over state-administered elections.

Attorney General Todd Blanche said Thursday that the department was not preparing to interfere in the midterm elections. However, he did not completely rule out intervention in an extreme situation, describing such a scenario as potentially “catastrophic.”

Democrats have accused the administration of attempting to expand federal influence over state election administration and undermine confidence in election results. The administration, meanwhile, maintains that the lawsuit is intended to protect election integrity.

Alaska Race Could Affect Senate Control

Alaska has emerged as a closely watched contest in the battle for control of the Senate. Trump won the state by approximately 13 percentage points in the 2024 presidential election, but Peltola has mounted a competitive challenge against the incumbent.

Peltola, a former Alaska congresswoman and a member of the state’s Indigenous community, is seeking to unseat Sullivan as Democrats attempt to gain seats currently held by Republicans.

The state, which has a population of approximately 740,000, uses a ranked-choice voting system for its Senate election. The outcome could have national implications if the contest helps determine which party controls the Senate.

The legal challenge is likely to intensify debate over the balance between federal election oversight and states’ constitutional authority to administer elections. The lawsuit does not itself invalidate any votes or change the result; any delay in certification would depend on the court’s decision.

As the November 3 election approaches, the Alaska case has become a focal point in the wider debate over election administration, voter confidence and the peaceful acceptance of election results in the United States.