U.S.LIVE REPORT
Trump administration threatens California officials if noncitizens…
The Justice Department's letter warns California officials who knowingly tabulate ballots from suspected noncitizens could face criminal investigation; officials still must decide what counts as knowing.
Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger on this story, from BBN Tonight at 7:45 PM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are The Guardian's, the jokes are ours.
At a glance
- First reported by The Guardian: “Trump administration threatens California officials if noncitizens vote in midterms”.
- Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 7:45 PM ET on BBN Tonight, by Hank Ledger.
- Topics: California, Trump.
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

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe Justice Department has warned California election officials that knowingly tabulating ballots cast by noncitizens could bring criminal investigation and prosecution.

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSkip Waverly is outside a county elections office tonight.

Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentI'm standing outside a county elections office, Hank, and behind me you can see the lights are still on, because counting never really stops out here.

Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentThe letter says officials who process ballots from suspected noncitizen voters are putting themselves at risk, and the word that matters there is knowingly.

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorKnowingly. So how does an official know?

Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentGreat question, and the workers I saw going in with their lunches did not have an answer, but one of them looked at his sandwich very carefully.

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorHis sandwich.

Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentEveryone out here is double-checking everything, Hank.

Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentThe security guard just asked whether the stapler counts as a witness, and I mean, technically speaking, nobody could rule it out.

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorSkip, the letter is about ballots, not office supplies, and that distinction is about the only clear thing in it.

Skip Waverly · Field CorrespondentUnderstood, and for the record I am standing here with no ballots, a wet jacket and a strong sense of civic duty, which I think qualifies me for a desk.

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThank you, Skip. The staffer behind you is waving at you to move, so I'd say you're in the clear.
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