The Trump administration is increasing pressure on California ahead of the November midterm elections, warning election officials that counting ballots associated with suspected noncitizens could expose them to federal criminal investigations and prosecution.

In a letter dated Friday, acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter cautioned that knowingly helping facilitate illegal voting could itself violate federal law. The warning follows a Justice Department lawsuit filed Thursday seeking to stop California from counting mail-in ballots cast by individuals federal authorities have identified as “likely” noncitizens until their eligibility is verified.

“The legal consequences for either facilitating or ignoring a federal crime are significant. Noncitizen voting in a federal election is a federal crime — and knowingly facilitating such conduct is equally unlawful,” the letter states.

It further warns: “If persons knowingly tabulate ballots cast by individuals identified by federal agencies as noncitizens, they risk becoming aiders and abettors to a federal crime.”

The correspondence was sent to the Los Angeles County Counsel’s office, with copies to California Secretary of State Shirley Weber and Los Angeles County Registrar Dean Logan, extending the warning to key state and county election authorities.

Logan said his office remains committed to administering an election that is both fair and secure, emphasizing that Election Day is only 18 days away. He disputed the federal government’s approach, saying, “The U.S. Department of Justice has chosen to litigate their unverified assertions of voting eligibility. At this point, it is best for this to be addressed in court,” he said.

Other state officials and the California attorney general had not immediately commented on the letter.

The number of people federal authorities might investigate or charge remains unclear. Any federal criminal cases arising in the Los Angeles region would fall under the jurisdiction of Bill Essayli, the area’s chief federal prosecutor, who also participated in filing Thursday’s lawsuit.

President Donald Trump addressed the controversy on Truth Social late Friday, sharing a news report about the Justice Department’s warning and declaring: “They will all go to jail for a long period of time!!!”