Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson denounced on Apr. 19 a letter from the Department of Justice that demands Wayne County Clerk Cathy M. Garrett produce all materials related to the November 2024 election, including ballots and ballot envelopes. The DOJ’s letter threatened a court order if the county does not comply, referencing past cases of voter fraud from previous elections.
The officials said this federal demand raises concerns about interference in Michigan’s electoral process and could undermine public trust in state-run elections. They argued that using isolated instances of voter fraud from prior years does not justify seeking current election materials.
Attorney General Nessel said, “Once again, President Trump is weaponizing the Justice Department in an attempt to sabotage our democratic process and turn it into his own personal agency to interfere in state elections. This request is as absurd as it is baseless.” She added that successful convictions show Michigan’s safeguards are effective and rare cases of fraud are addressed: “Using these prosecutions and recycling debunked 2020 election conspiracy theories as justification to demand copies of the ballots of Michigan residents is a clear attempt to bully clerks and spread fear, even after Donald Trump won Michigan in 2024. If this administration wants to bring this circus to our state, my office is prepared to protect the people’s right to vote.”
Governor Whitmer said, “Michigan’s elections are safe and secure, and any attempt to suggest otherwise is an attempt to take away Michiganders’ constitutional right to vote.” She emphasized that more than 1,600 locally elected clerks ensure every citizen can vote: “This demand is a poorly disguised attempt to justify more doubt and misinformation about our elections as well as direct federal interference. Let’s keep working together to uphold the rule of law and protect voting rights.”
Secretary Benson called it “the Trump administration’s latest attempt to interfere in our elections.” She said their goal was “to sow seeds of doubt about the legitimacy of the results this November and in 2028.” Benson stated they would stand with Wayne County against such tactics: “We stand with Wayne County to ensure we protect the integrity of our elections and the privacy of Michigan voters… As always, we will follow the law and fight to protect our secure, accessible election system against this administration’s ongoing abuse of power.”
In response, Nessel sent a letter urging Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon not to pursue what she described as fishing expeditions based on discredited claims.
According to the official website, Dana Nessel serves as Michigan’s 54th attorney general overseeing efforts such as advancing social causes against human trafficking while supporting vulnerable populations across Michigan through statewide authority exercised by her department. The department also focuses on public service initiatives aimed at protecting residents statewide. In addition, it influenced policy by drafting legislation like Clean Slate law for expungement opportunities. Accordingly,the department continues its mission throughout Michigan.