In part, Senator Cotton wrote:
“Left-wing organizations often promote voter-registration sweepstakes. For example, HeadCount Inc. offers potential voters a chance to ‘win a VIP experience at RuPaul’s Drag Race’ for checking their voter-registration status or beginning the voter-registration process. Michelle Obama’s voter-registration group offered individuals who provided their registration information a chance to win a free trip to Las Vegas. These left-wing groups are just as surely trying to register potential voters with their sweepstakes as is America PAC.”
Full text of the letter may be found here and below.
October 24, 2024
The Honorable Merrick Garland
U.S. Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Dear Attorney General Garland,
I write regarding reports that the Department of Justice has warned Elon Musk’s America PAC that its sweepstakes may violate federal law. I’m not convinced that America PAC has run afoul of the law, but I’m very concerned that the Biden-Harris administration has once again singled out center-right Americans like Mr. Musk for political retribution while turning a blind eye to liberal-leaning groups engaged in similar behavior.
Left-wing organizations often promote voter-registration sweepstakes. For example, HeadCount Inc. offers potential voters a chance to “win a VIP experience at RuPaul’s Drag Race” for checking their voter-registration status or beginning the voter-registration process. Michelle Obama’s voter-registration group offered individuals who provided their registration information a chance to win a free trip to Las Vegas. These left-wing groups are just as surely trying to register potential voters with their sweepstakes as is America PAC.
But where are the threats of legal consequences for liberals? Have you sent Michelle Obama an intimidating letter? I think the question answers itself, of course, and demonstrates yet again how you have weaponized the Department of Justice against not only President Trump, but also his supporters.
I urge you to retract the department’s letter as the ill-considered handiwork of partisan killjoys. Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Tom Cotton
United States Senator