A federal court judge ruled against the Public Interest Legal Foundation (PILF) on Wednesday in its attempt to compel Post Office inspectors to investigate who sent threatening letters to Trump supporters before the 2024 election, using provisions of the Voting Rights Act.
The organization argued that law enforcement should have found the perpetrator, but hadn’t.
Some Trump voters got nasty letters from an unknown person or people.
“We are writing with a concern about the level of political violence in the country during this election year as well as the threats to our democracy and freedoms,” the letters read.
“Your candidate is a felon, rapist, desecrator, an immoral flawed man. He is the major reason violence us [sic]. By supporting him, you are declaring your public support for a disregard for the law, civil discourse, and unity. You are indicating your hatred for minorities, immigrants, foreigners, women, education [and] Taylor Swift.
“We know where you live,” the letter continues. “You are in the database. In the dead of a cold winter’s night, this year or next and beyond, there is no knowing what may happen. Your property, your family may be impacted, your cat may get shot. And more.
“Your vote for this guy is seen as treading on my rights,” the letter said. “You tread on me at your peril, mother***er. We look forward to visiting in the future.”
It was signed: “Patriotic citizen and a true American.”
People in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties received the letters, as did people in the Pittsburgh area.
During a hearing before federal Judge Mia Perez, Gregory David with the U.S. Attorney’s Office argued that the Post Office had investigated and not discovered any suspects. However, disclosing information about the investigation could compromise sources and methods, potentially providing other perpetrators with valuable insights.
PILF lawyer Jewel Lightfoot argued that the Post Office should be compelled to turn over information about its investigation to help PILF in its own investigation of the perpetrators.
“The court ruled against our motion to compel cooperation from the Postal Service,” said Linda Kerns, a lawyer for the Trump campaign and PILF. “We will continue to track down the people who threatened to assassinate voters. So should the authorities who actually have that job.”
Christian Adams, PILF president and general counsel, said the Post Office’s position “is not very comforting for the voters.”
PILF is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the identification of the individual who sent death threats to voters who supported Donald Trump just ahead of the 2024 election. It asks readers to contact them if they recognize the handwriting on the envelope above or remember hearing someone bragging about sending the threatening letters.
PILF “believes the most basic political right is the right to vote without fear. Other countries and other times in history have seen very different systems, where political violence is the norm. America stands against that ugly history. Help us protect the right to vote.”
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