The U.S. Department of Justice, under the direction of the Trump administration, initiated legal action on Thursday to challenge the eligibility of former Democratic Representative Mary Peltola in the 2026 Alaska U.S. Senate race. The lawsuit seeks to prevent Peltola from appearing on the ballot or having her potential victory certified, despite the fact that the general election is still more than a week away.

The filing centers on the legal status of Peltola’s candidacy, though specific details regarding the grounds for the challenge remain limited in initial reports. The move has drawn immediate scrutiny due to its timing, occurring shortly before voters head to the polls. While the Department of Justice characterizes the action as a necessary legal intervention regarding election integrity, critics argue the timing represents an attempt to influence the outcome of the race before the democratic process concludes. As of now, the legal proceedings are in their early stages, and it remains unclear how the court will address the request to intervene in an ongoing election cycle.