Voting: Trump vows “investigation.”

He says millions voted illegally

Washington — President Donald Trump vowed an “investigation” Wednesday into alleged voter fraud — despite a lack of evidence behind his claim that 3 million to 5 million people voted illegally in last year’s election — though aides spoke more in terms of a “study” of the alleged problem.

“I think we need to understand where the problem exists, how deep it goes, and then suggest some remedies to it,” White House spokesman Sean Spicer said, “but right now to sort of prejudge the process would sort of get in front of the whole need to have it.”

Spicer spoke hours after Trump tweeted that “I will be asking for a major investigation into VOTER FRAUD, including those registered to vote in two states,” as well as “those registered to vote who are dead (and many for a long time). Depending on results, we will strengthen up voting procedures!”

Trump has claimed that up to 5 million illegal voters caused him to lose the popular vote to Hillary Clinton in last year’s election, and he made the assertion again during a Monday night meeting with lawmakers at the White House.

The Justice Department, which would investigate violations of the federal voting rights laws, declined comment Wednesday on the president’s call for an inquiry and his assertion that up to 5 million illegal immigrants voted in the general election.

Prior to election day, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division deployed more than 500 people to 28 states to monitor voting.

In the aftermath of the election, Justice officials announced no major incidents of voter fraud, let alone mass numbers of undocumented immigrants attempting to vote.

Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York said that Trump “ought to realize he’s president. Instead of talking about the election or how many people showed up at the inauguration, he ought to talk about how many new jobs he’s creating.”