The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit to block certification of the Senate race in Alaska if Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan loses the contest while another candidate with the same name is on the ballot, kicking off what many have feared could become a lengthy battle between the U.S. government and states over certifying an election where the president's party is struggling.
Many in both parties believe the fight could come down to Alaska, where Sullivan faces Democrat Mary Peltola. Also on the Alaska ballot is a Daniel J. Sullivan from the tiny fishing community of Petersburg. He has said he decided to run on his own, but Republicans have contended he's a Democratic plant to siphon votes away from their candidate.
On Thursday, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit in federal court in Alaska demanding that the state be blocked from certifying a Peltola win if the other Sullivan remains on the ballot. “The United States accordingly brings this lawsuit to protect the integrity of the 2026 Senate election in Alaska,” the lawsuit alleges, contending that federal law requires states to protect the integrity of federal elections.
The Alaska Supreme Court rejected previous Republican efforts to remove the other Sullivan from the ballot, and the state's Republican officials made the decisions about how to list him on the ballot. The other Sullivan will appear without a party designation next to his name, while the senator will be listed as the Republican incumbent. Alaska's ranked choice voting system also will allow voters to select both of the men if confused.
The Trump Department of Justice has increasingly been used to bolster the president's political operation, targeting his enemies and filing lawsuits against Democratic-controlled states in the run up to the election. Democrats and many voting rights advocates have long feared the Trump administration will try to block certification of elections the president's party loses much as Trump unsuccessfully tried to do when he lost the 2020 presidential election.
Earlier Thursday, Blanche told reporters that was unlikely outside of extreme circumstances. “It is not DOJ’s intention to and it’s never our intention to improperly interfere with elections or the state certification process," the Attorney General told reporters in Virginia.
Derek Muller, a law professor at Notre Dame University, said the lawsuit will likely only kick in if Republicans narrowly lose the Alaska Senate race and that it does not seem to have legal merit. “The statute simply doesn't let the Department of Justice enjoin certification,” he said.
President Donald Trump arrives on Air Force One, Friday, Oct. 23, 2026, at Joint Base Andrews, Md. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
In this photo shot with a smart phone, Alaska Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan poses ahead of a debate with Democrat Mary Peltola in Alaska's Senate race, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026, in Anchorage, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer)
PARIS (AP) — Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers on Friday expressed confidence in the NFL to make security decisions around staging a game in Paris amid recent civil unrest in the city.
The Pittsburgh star spoke at a news conference inside a downtown hotel shortly after the team arrived in the capital for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints at Stade de France.
“I definitely think that the NFL is alert to what's going on," Rodgers said. "This game means a lot to the NFL. If it was unsafe, then I'm sure we wouldn't be here.”
A morning practice for the Steelers at Stade de France was canceled because of bad weather, the team said. There was wind and light rain in Paris.
The Steelers flew from Pittsburgh overnight and had planned the outdoor practice at 11 a.m. local time, but it was called off 90 minutes beforehand.
Sunday’s game is going ahead despite the civil unrest in Paris and other cities in France. More demonstrations are planned for this weekend.
The U.S. State Department late Thursday issued a security alert: “Numerous groups submitted plans for protests on Saturday, October 24. Americans in Paris for the NFL game on Sunday, October 25 should also exercise caution and be aware of their surroundings. While permits may be filed for demonstration routes, last-minute changes can happen and protests can occur outside planned routes.”
On Wednesday, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said preparations were made in consultation with U.S. and French authorities. Street protests, he said, "are not unusual in France.”
A weekend event for Steelers fans was canceled Thursday because of security concerns.
Steelers coach Mike McCarthy said the team is “very confident” that the team's experience will be positive.
Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt is dealing with a calf issue, according to Thursday's injury report. Watt, who had already been on the report as resting, was listed as limited in practice Thursday.
At the team's hotel Friday, Watt didn't seem concerned.
“I feel really good, honestly," he said when asked about the time difference and his calf. "I just try to hydrate as much as possible, was able to sleep on the plane, just hit an espresso so I should be good to go."
McCarthy said he's not concerned about Watt's availability but that technically the decision would be made after Saturday's practice.
Watt, who has 4.5 sacks this season, said that after team meetings he and some other players would “do some things around town, camaraderie things and get a meal. Just try to hang out, fellowship as much as possible.”
Steelers safety DeShon Elliott (knee) has been a full participant this week. A decision on his game availability will be made after Saturday's practice, McCarthy said.
“He's one of our leaders. Just to watch him fight back from this injury — he's definitely someone you root for,” the coach said. “It's been a real milestone for him to get to this point. It's been a long road back, but he's a big part of what we're about in Pittsburgh.”
DE Sebastian Joseph-Day was placed on the injured reserve list Thursday.
Wide receiver DK Metcalf had a big day in Dublin last year, scoring on an 80-yard touchdown reception in Pittsburgh's win over the Minnesota Vikings. He had five catches for 126 yards in the 24-21 victory.
But it turns out he's not a big fan of the international games. He was asked if he has a wish list of new cities.
“No, sir, because I really don’t like traveling to play football outside the U.S.," he said, smiling, "but it’s kind of in our job description right now.”
The NFL is playing a record nine international games this season.
A flag football event scheduled Friday near the Eiffel Tower was canceled because of the weather, NFL France announced.
Storm Austen was moving across the English Channel and was expected to bring strong winds to the region. The French national weather service put Paris and 22 other regions under an “orange alert” Friday because of the high winds.
The Saints are based in Versailles and practice at Stade Municipal Montbauron. The league said that because of “elevated wind and rain conditions” there would be no media viewing of practice.
The Saints came to Paris directly from New York after beating the Giants last Sunday.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers speaks during a press conference in Paris, Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers leaves a press conference in Paris, Friday, Oct. 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Protesters hold a banner reading : "High school students target the Bac. The Bac (Anti-Crime Brigade) target the head " as they gather against poor education school conditions in Paris, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Teresa Suarez)
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) speaks during a news conference following an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
New Orleans Saints cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (22) warms up during an NFL football practice session in Versailles near Paris, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
An exterior view of the Stade de France with NFL branding on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026, in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, ahead of Sunday's game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New Orleans Saints. (AP Photo/Greg Payan)
