Is the framework for Joe Biden’s last, big move as president being unfolded?
According to a New York Times report, the Biden-Harris administration has threatened X owner Elon Musk with criminal prosecution for helping to drive voter turnout in the upcoming election by offering $1 million rewards to registered voters who sign a petition to support the U.S. Constitution.
Yes, the Biden administration could try to put Musk behind bars.
Here’s the background behind the potential chargers.
Musk’s America PAC states that one winner is being chosen daily in one of the seven swing states if they sign the PAC’s petition pledging their support for the First and Second Amendments.
However, to be eligible for the prize, those who sign up must prove that they are registered to vote in one of those states.
But according to the Times report, the letter from the DOJ warned that the giveaway “might violate federal laws against paying voters.”
The report said that the letter is intended to threaten “a criminal investigation” if Musk does not stop, even though it’s not clear if the petition even violates the law.
However, experts believe that actual charges are unlikely, or unrealistic ahead of the election.
Michael Morse, an assistant professor of law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, told NBC News that he would be surprised if the Biden-Harris DOJ tried to stop Musk before the election because they should have more pressing matters before the election.
He said that he viewed this as an effort “to build up an email list for contacts, for campaigning, for mobilization.”