Schiff accuses DOJ of trying to 'subvert' elections as GOP alleges same-name candidate meant to confuse voters

Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., accused President Donald Trump's Justice Department of trying to subvert elections through its lawsuit over Alaska's unusual Senate ballot, even as Republicans allege Democrats have propped up a Senate candidate with the same name as the GOP nominee to confuse voters.

Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, R- Alaska, is running against Daniel J. Sullivan Jr., who has no party affiliation. State courts ultimately allowed the second Dan Sullivan to remain on the ballot. Schiff argued the Justice Department has no business stepping into a matter Alaska's courts have already settled. Republicans contend Daniel Sullivan entered the race to draw votes away from the incumbent and help former Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola — a claim the now- Senate candidate and her campaign deny.

"They don't have standing to bring this kind of a suit. It's not the federal government's business to run Alaskan elections. It's Alaska's business to do that," Schiff told NBC News on Sunday.

"They have already adjudicated this question, and the Justice Department knows this, but it just shows how complicit they are now in the Trump campaign to try to subvert the elections."

ALASKA SENATE RACES ABSURD NAME PROBLEM GETS EVEN HARDER TO UNTANGLE

Schiff has long been one of Trump's most prominent adversaries, serving as the lead House impeachment manager during Trump's first impeachment trial and later sitting on the House committee investigating the Jan. 6 Capitol riot. The Burbank Democrat has repeatedly accused Trump of undermining democratic institutions and election integrity, making his attack on the Justice Department the latest volley in a yearslong political and legal feud.

Schiff drew a comparison to Trump's efforts to challenge the 2020 presidential election, arguing that senior Justice Department officials at the time, including Attorney General William Barr refused to support efforts to overturn the results — while accusing current DOJ leadership of being willing to go further.

"This time, with [Attorney General Todd] Blanche, they are all in on this disgraceful campaign," Schiff said, predicting the case in the Last Frontier has "no chance of succeeding."

The allegations come as candidate Dan J. Sullivan of Petersburg received enough votes in Alaskas unique primary system to appear beside Sen. Dan S. Sullivan, R-Alaska, on the general election ballot — along with Democratic challenger and former Rep. Mary Peltola.

COURT KEEPS DECOY DAN ON ALASKA BALLOT AS EXPERT WARNS RANKED-CHOICE SYSTEM CREATES VOTER TRAPS

State election officials initially disqualified the Petersburg Sullivan after raising concerns that his candidacy was intended to confuse voters, citing his requested ballot name, recent party registration and similarities between campaign materials.

An