Two Alaska voters and two voting-rights groups have asked a federal court to throw out a Justice Department lawsuit that could block certification of Alaska's U.S. Senate election. Their motion, filed Friday, quotes President Trump saying of the suit: "I'm the one that said do it." 1
The motion also suggests the court "consider sanctions against the attorneys who signed the complaint." It calls the complaint "frivolous." Those are the challengers' claims. The judge has not ruled on them. 1
What the Justice Department is asking
The Justice Department sued in the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. It wants the state barred from certifying the result if Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses to Democrat Mary Peltola by fewer votes than independent candidate Daniel J. Sullivan receives. 1 The department says Daniel J. Sullivan's "sole purpose" is to help Peltola by misleading Sen. Sullivan's supporters. 1
The department cites the National Voter Registration Act, a federal law about voter rolls. 2 In June, the Alaska Supreme Court ruled that both men can stay on the ballot. It found no legal basis in the Constitution or state law to remove Daniel J. Sullivan. 1
From Channel GOPPeltola: Sullivan tripled his wealth while Alaskans struggleMary Peltola · 129 plays · captioned, with the source named
Who filed the challenge
The motion was filed for voters Risé Roy and Jan Jakub Grzeda, the League of Women Voters of Alaska and Common Cause. 1 It argues the government's claim of "nearly unlimited power to police" the election "defiles the Constitution's careful federalist balance." Under that balance, states run elections unless Congress authorizes federal action. 1
It adds that the suit would "disenfranchise voters and deny their fundamental right to vote" if it succeeded. 1 CBS News reports Trump gave a similar answer to reporters on Friday. 2
Reaction
Harry Child, a spokesperson for Peltola's campaign, criticized the effort as a political threat to overturn an election. 2 Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, wrote on X that the department "should never have filed this lawsuit." 2
Newsweek said it asked both Sullivan campaigns, the Justice Department and the White House for comment on Saturday. Its report did not include any replies. 1 A Justice Department spokesperson told CBS the suit aims "to ensure that this frivolous candidacy does not undermine the integrity of Alaska's election." 2
Why it matters
The race is close. A Rasmussen Reports poll of 775 likely voters, taken Oct. 12-15, had Peltola at 44% and Sullivan at 42%, within the 3-point margin of error. 1 Data for Progress polled 675 likely voters Oct. 8-16. It found Peltola ahead 51% to 49% in the final round of Alaska's ranked-choice count. Its margin of error was plus or minus 4 points. 1
Republicans now hold 53 Senate seats to Democrats' 47. 1 That matters because a president's own words about why he ordered a suit can bear on whether a court sees it as a legal claim or a political move. The judge will decide that question. Nothing in the coverage says when the court will act on the motion.
The Record
- Alaska Supreme Court rules both Dan Sullivans can remain on the ballot (June, exact day not given in sources). 1
- Justice Department's Alaska suit is reported, and Trump tells reporters 'I'm the one that said do it.' 12
- Voters, the League of Women Voters of Alaska and Common Cause move to dismiss and ask the court to consider sanctions. 1
Sources
- Newsweek, “Trump's Words Used Against Him in Alaska Lawsuit, DOJ Sanctions Sought” (2026-10-24). newsweek.com/trumps-words-used-against-him-in-alaska-lawsuit
- CBS News, “Trump admin. sues to block Alaska Senate certification if Sen. Dan Sullivan loses” (2026-10-23). cbsnews.com/news/trump-admin-sues-to-block-alaska-senate-cer
Found an error? Tell the newsroom. Corrections are noted at the top of the story.
