'Trump Calls 2020 Election Fraud the ‘Biggest Scandal in US History’

Washington: US President Donald Trump on Sunday demanded immediate action from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate alleged rigging in the 2020 presidential election. Posting on Truth Social, he called it "the biggest scam in American history" and warned that if it did not happen, it would be repeated in the upcoming midterm elections.

Trump wrote in the post, "The 2020 presidential election, which was rigged and stolen, is a huge scandal. Look what happened to our country when a crooked idiot became our 'President'! Now we know everything. I hope the DOJ pursues this with the same 'vigor' that is appropriate for the biggest scandal in American history! If not, it will happen again, including in the upcoming midterms."

Appeal to end mail-in voting, emphasis on voter ID

Trump appealed to completely eliminate mail-in and early voting. "No mail-in or early voting, yes to voter ID," he said. Along with this, he strongly criticized California's Proposition 50, which aims to change the maps of congressional districts created by an independent commission. Trump called it "dishonest," saying, "Look how dishonest the California prop vote is! Millions of ballots are being 'sent out.' Get smart, Republicans, before it's too late!!!"

Proposition 50 would allow Democrats to draw new maps for the midterm elections, which Trump described as an attempt at gerrymandering. The DOJ has decided to send election monitors to several California counties to ensure transparency and ballot security.

Obama's support of ballot initiative and Trump's claims have a long history

Former President Barack Obama has supported ballot initiative voting taking place on November 4, where early voting has already begun. Obama called it part of the strengthening of democracy.
Trump has been making frequent claims of fraud since losing the 2020 election to Joe Biden, but officials, courts, and even his first-term Attorney General William Barr have rejected these claims. Trump won re-election in 2024 but always courted controversy by calling the 2020 results "stolen." Trump called the 2020 election a "much bigger scandal" than the recent NBA gambling scandal.

Political reactions and experts' concerns

MAGA supporters applauded Trump's statement, but Democrats called it a "threat to democracy." Former federal prosecutor Joyce White Vance said the DOJ turns over evidence to Congress if there is an investigation, but Trump's claims are without evidence. An old report by the Senate Judiciary Committee mentions Trump's efforts to put pressure on the DOJ, which could have led to a constitutional crisis.

Experts believe that Trump's statement is a strategy to unite the voter base before the 2026 midterm elections. However, extensive audits and investigations did not prove any systemic fraud in 2020. Trump had earlier also demanded a special prosecutor, but now as president he is putting direct pressure on the DOJ.

There is no official response from the DOJ yet, but Trump supporters are promoting it by linking election security to national security.