The DOJ and FBI are preparing to combat election lies but have limited authority. Affordable Care Act coverage is available for DACA recipients for the first time. And small businesses forced to adjust to Trump-era trade policies fear another round of changes.
Here’s what to know today.
The DOJ and FBI’s limited roles in responding to election lies
Former President Donald Trump and his allies are running a similar playbook to 2020, priming his voters to believe the election may be “rigged.” Already, federal agencies including the Justice Department and the FBI have taken steps to prepare.
For the DOJ that means setting up an Election Threats Task force, focusing on the prosecutions of people who threaten election officials. For the FBI, it’s setting up a National Election Command Post to focus on election threats. Meanwhile, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies have been involved in exercises and training operations over the past two years.
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But federal authorities’ power can only go so far during elections. “There’s no white knight coming,” a law enforcement official said to describe the posture of federal authorities in the coming weeks.
Instead, state and local officials, not the federal government, are the primary authorities on elections. If the presidential race is too close to call for multiple days, the potential for threats of violence and actual violence will steadily grow, law enforcement officials said.
And what about the Justice Department and FBI’s capacity to carry out the prosecution of Trump’s political rivals — a threat he has made against dozens of people since entering the 2024 race? To understand how that might play out, NBC News interviewed current and former Justice Department and FBI officials, as well as legal experts.
All agreed that what Trump is proposing would shatter 50 years of post-Watergate norms dictating that federal prosecutors don’t take orders from the president about criminal investigations. However, there are ways around the guardrails, the officials said, and some fear it could lead to the appointments of loyalists who would carry out Trump’s wishes.
Read more for experts’ reactions to such a scenario.
More election coverage:
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➡️ An NBC News Decision Desk analysis of early voting data shows how new voters in battleground states could swing the election.
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➡️ What happens if the presidential race ends up tied at 269 electoral votes? The House would decide. Here’s how it would work.
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➡️ Harris said Trump’s remarks about protecting women whether they “like it or not” is a sign of how he “devalues” women.
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➡️ With Harris set to spend election night at her alma mater, Howard University student journalists are preparing to capture history on their own campus.
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➡️ Trump sued CBS over the network’s “60 Minutes” interview with Harris, alleging it aired two different responses to a question about the war in Gaza.
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➡️ Elon Musk’s America PAC was tasked with much of the pro-Trump canvassing operation, but nine GOP operatives and canvassers expressed concerns to NBC News about how things appear to be going.
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➡️ In an interview with podcast host Joe Rogan, JD Vance said he believes Trump can win the “normal gay guy vote” and talked Covid vaccines, religion and Trump’s assassination attempt. Here are takeaways from their chat.
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➡️ The Supreme Court may soon weigh in on challenges to Pennsylvania’s mail voting policies, potentially putting at stake thousands of ballots that have already been mailed in or dropped off.
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➡️ A historically expensive Ohio Senate race between Democrat incumbent Sherrod Brown and Republican businessman Bernie Moreno will likely come down to ticket-splitting Trump voters.
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➡️ California and Nevada voters are weighing whether to repeal loopholes in their state constitutions that allow slavery and involuntary servitude to be used as criminal punishment.
Job numbers take a hit after hurricanes and workers’ strike
The effects of hurricanes Helene and Milton, as well as an ongoing Boeing workers’ strike, are expected to make a dent in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ latest jobs update. This morning’s report is forecast to show the U.S. economy gained 110,000 jobs in October and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1%. September’s report, in comparison, showed 254,000 jobs gained.
Absent the hurricanes and strike, economic data suggests the U.S. remains in solid financial shape heading into Election Day. Although recent months’ payroll reports exceeded expectations, the gains are unevenly distributed among a few key sectors.
Obamacare enrollment opens to ‘Dreamers’
The Affordable Care Act’s open enrollment period begins today, and for the first time, DACA recipients will be able to sign up for the government-funded health insurance. The change is a pivotal moment for the more than 535,000 so-called “Dreamers” who were previously barred from receiving ACA insurance, a restriction that experts say has caused high uninsured rates among that group.
For many DACA recipients who are unable to get job-based health insurance, a lack of access to government-funded programs meant their insurance options were limited or too expensive. Some have turned to state programs while others have chosen to go uninsured, relying on community clinics that offer free or low-cost care. Dania Sarahi Quezada, a third year law student at the University of Washington, is among the DACA recipients who plans to purchase a health insurance plan during the open enrollment period. However, she and other Dreamers have expressed concerns about Republican-led efforts to block the rule from taking effect.
Read All About It
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Atlanta rap star Young Thug changed his plea to guilty on drug- and gun-related charges, bringing a stunning close to a chapter of Georgia’s longest-running criminal trial.
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The NFL season has reached its midpoint. Here are the best teams, the best players and the biggest disappointments so far, according to our sports reporters.
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A Swedish gummies craze is sweeping the country, thanks to a push from TikTok creators who insist the candies are a cut above standard gummies.
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A woman who anonymously sued Sean “Diddy” Combs for an alleged 2004 rape when she was a teen must reveal her name or her lawsuit will be tossed out, a judge ruled.
Staff Pick: Trump wants more tariffs. Small business owners aren’t ready.
Former President Donald Trump is promising a slate of new import duties much steeper and more far-reaching than the ones he imposed during his first term in office. That isn’t sitting too well with craft brewers, bicycle makers and other small companies forced to adjust to the trade policies, which the Biden administration largely preserved, over the past six years. While some shifted their supply chains or just ate the higher costs, others hiked prices on customers — and warned they’d have to do so again. — Rich Bellis, senior business editor
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Cool weather is coming soon, so get ready. Lower temperature and more hat-wearing can lead to a flaky scalp, but these dandruff shampoos can help soothe your skin. And wintry morning runs can be invigorating, but safety comes first. Here’s what to wear and how to prepare your body.
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This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
