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Calif. Officials Processing Suspected Noncitizen Ballots Risk…
The administration is escalating its fight with California before next month's midterms, saying officials who tabulate ballots from suspected noncitizens could face criminal investigation; so far, it's a warning.
Watch it as it aired: Kenji Moonfield, Gloria Vance and Brock Thunderson on this story, from The Pile-On at 11:47 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are Newsmax's, the jokes are ours.

At a glance
- First reported by Newsmax: “Calif. Officials Processing Suspected Noncitizen Ballots Risk Prosecution: US”.
- Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 11:47 PM ET on The Pile-On, by Kenji Moonfield, Gloria Vance and Brock Thunderson.
- Topics: US.
The real story
The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.
What BBN said about it

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorThe Trump administration is warning California officials that processing and counting ballots from suspected noncitizen voters could put them at risk of criminal investigation, ahead of next month's midterm election.

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentI've seen how this ends. It's a courtroom, a podium, and a very long thread with one guy saying he's just asking questions.

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorYou've seen how it ends? Kenji, nobody has been charged with anything. It's a warning.

Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistLet me finish, because I'm forecasting a ninety percent chance of lawyers, with a cold front of press conferences rolling in from the west by Tuesday, and I've named it Kevin.

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentKevin's a lawyer? Respect.

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorKevin is a cloud. And the officials in California have not said they'll stop counting, and the administration has not filed a case.

Brock Thunderson · Chief MeteorologistThat's what Kevin wants you to think, Gloria, and I won't be cut off by a cloud's own defenders, because I've been right about the jet stream before and I'll be right again.

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentStill ahead, a cat nobody has seen in a hundred years just turned up, and I'm told it has no opinion on ballots.

Gloria Vance · World News AnchorGentlemen, please. Here is everything we actually know: it is a warning, and the election is next month.

Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentA warning and a deadline. That's the best cliffhanger of the season.
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