Multiple Ohio Democrats have denounced an FBI search of a liberal voting rights organization’s office in Cleveland.The federal investigation, which reportedly centers on alleged voter fraud, concerns the Ohio Organizing Collaborative. Established in 2007, the grassroots group says its mission is to “organize everyday Ohioans, building transformative power organizations for racial, social, and economic justice.”The FBI raid unfolded Thursday as Prentiss Haney, a board member and strategic adviser for the organization, claimed the Trump administration intended to intimidate the OOC ahead of the midterm elections.
“It’s clear that this administration is fishing to try to drum up stories around fraud,” Haney told NBC News. “It’s clear that this administration is trying to target civil rights leaders and community leaders and folks who are doing that work because they don’t see a path for themselves to actually legitimately hold power beyond this year.”
Democratic politicians and candidates in Ohio made similar accusations against the administration. Chief among its critics was Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH), who represents parts of Cleveland in Ohio’s 11th District.
Brown accused President Donald Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel of leading “a systematic effort … to attack our elections and perpetuate more myths of voter fraud.”
