Attorneys General Urge DOJ Probe into Texas Raids

A coalition of 16 state attorneys general, led by Maryland's Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and New York's Letitia James, is urging the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate civil rights violations stemming from recent raids by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office. Conducted on August 20, 2024, these raids targeted Latino voting rights activists, candidates, and volunteers under the pretext of investigating alleged voter fraud, despite a lack of evidence supporting such claims. The coalition argues that these actions were intended to intimidate voters of color and undermine their participation in the electoral process, constituting violations of the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act. Texas Democrats in Congress have echoed these concerns, labeling the raids as political persecution aimed at discouraging minority voting. Critics, including the League of United Latin American Citizens, have called for accountability, asserting that the raids reflect a broader pattern of voter suppression. The attorneys general are demanding an investigation to ensure that civil liberties are protected and to uphold the integrity of democratic processes.