Justice Department Accelerates Cases Against Trump’s Political Foes

The U.S. Justice Department has accelerated legal actions involving voting and President Donald Trump’s political opponents as the country approaches midterm elections that could shift control of Congress to Democrats. The activity in Washington has drawn criticism from former officials because it departs from the traditionally quieter period for federal prosecutors before elections, according to NBC News and The Wall Street Journal.

NBC News reported on October 28, 2026, that the department had been unusually active in cases related to voting and individuals viewed as political adversaries by Trump. The report described the developments against the backdrop of an election less than a week away that could determine which party controls Congress. The Wall Street Journal separately reported on October 28 that the department had stepped up legal efforts over the preceding two weeks to pursue cases aligned with Trump's demands to prosecute political opponents.

The newspaper described the pace as rapid, including by the standards of the department's recent efforts to advance the president's agenda.

NBC News cited former officials who characterized the pre-election activity as a departure from longstanding prosecutorial precedent. The report's headline described the developments as a shocking burst of activity, highlighting concerns about the timing of federal law enforcement actions so close to the midterms.

The Justice Department's actions have unfolded during a politically consequential election period, with voting-related cases and investigations involving Trump's perceived adversaries emerging as central areas of scrutiny. The timing has focused attention on the department's role in enforcing federal law during an election cycle in which control of Congress is at stake. The two reports emphasized different aspects of the same developments. NBC News focused on the departure from established pre-election practices, while The Wall Street Journal examined the increased pace of legal maneuvers intended to advance Trump's demands against his political foes.