The department once tried to stay out of state elections, urging caution. It is now pressing forward with claims of fraud as President Trump revives his unfounded assertions that elections cannot be trusted.

© Philip Cheung for The New York Times

The Senate passed a $70 billion reconciliation bill for immigration enforcement, which included a controversial $1.776 billion "Anti-weaponization Fund" for victims of federal prosecutions, but the fund was ultimately eliminated due to Republican opposition, while the second part of the settlement, granting Trump and his associates immunity from further audits and liability for taxes still owed, was left in place.

The Senate passed a $70 billion reconciliation bill for immigration enforcement, which included a controversial $1.776 billion "Anti-weaponization Fund" for victims of federal prosecutions, but the fund was ultimately eliminated due to Republican opposition, while the second part of the settlement, granting Trump and his associates immunity from further audits and liability for taxes still owed, was left in place.