Vice President Kamala Harris has added Marc Elias, a prominent Democratic attorney, to her campaign's legal team as they prepare for potential legal challenges in the upcoming election.
According to a report by Breitbart, Elias will join a significantly expanded legal operation that is reportedly ten times larger than the team assembled by then-candidate Joe Biden in 2020.
The announcement of Elias's appointment came on the opening day of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The New York Times reported that Elias will focus on potential recounts as part of a legal apparatus overseeing various aspects of the election program, including voter protection and general election litigation.
Marc Elias has a history of involvement in high-profile political legal matters. He previously served as general counsel for Harris's primary campaign in 2020 and is known for his work with the Democratic Party. However, his career has not been without controversy.
Elias played a significant role in the "Russia collusion" narrative that emerged following the 2016 presidential election. During the 2016 campaign, he had the authority to direct the activities of Fusion GPS, the opposition research firm that produced the "Steele dossier." This dossier became a central element in the allegations of Russian interference and collusion with the Trump campaign.
In recent years, Elias has been involved in various legal challenges related to voting laws and election procedures. He was instrumental in pushing for expanded vote-by-mail options ahead of the 2020 presidential election, a move that was seen as crucial to Democratic turnout in swing states.
Elias's legal strategies have sometimes drawn criticism and scrutiny. In 2021, he faced sanctions from the Fifth Circuit Court for violating his "duty of candor to the court" in a case challenging a Texas voting law. More recently, he was involved in a controversy surrounding a "secretive local media network" in Arizona that published political content disguised as news articles.
The attorney has also been at the center of debates over election integrity and voting rights. While he has been a vocal critic of Republican efforts to question election results, he himself challenged the outcome of a close congressional race in New York, citing issues with voting machines.
Breitbart News Senior Editor-at-Large Joel B. Pollak provided the following commentary on Elias's appointment:
While lawyers for President Trump have faced prosecution, Bar complaints, smear campaigns, and pressure to drop their representation, Elias has been welcomed back into Democratic Party fold — at the top.
The addition of Marc Elias to Kamala Harris's legal team signals a significant investment in preparing for potential legal challenges in the upcoming election. With a team reportedly much larger than that of the previous presidential campaign, the Harris campaign appears to be anticipating a contentious post-election legal landscape.
Elias's expertise in election law and his history of involvement in high-stakes political legal battles make him a notable addition to the team. However, his controversial past and aggressive legal strategies may also draw criticism from opponents.
As the election approaches, the role of legal teams in both major campaigns is likely to come under increased scrutiny. The expansion of Harris's legal operation, including the recruitment of Elias, suggests that both sides are preparing for the possibility of protracted legal disputes over election results.
Vice President Kamala Harris has hired Marc Elias, a prominent Democratic lawyer with a controversial history, to join her campaign's expanded legal team. Elias, known for his involvement in the "Russia collusion" narrative and various election-related legal challenges, will focus on potential recounts. The move indicates the campaign's preparation for possible legal disputes in the upcoming election, with a significantly larger legal operation compared to the previous presidential campaign.
