Trump decries voter suppression even as he practices it.

On Monday morning, the president of the United States sent out two tweets that touched on the subject of voter suppression:

So funny to see the CNN Fake Suppression Polls and false rhetoric. Watch for real results Tuesday. We are lucky CNN’s ratings are so low. Don’t fall for the Suppression Game. Go out & VOTE. Remember, we now have perhaps the greatest Economy (JOBS) in the history of our Country!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2018

Law Enforcement has been strongly notified to watch closely for any ILLEGAL VOTING which may take place in Tuesday’s Election (or Early Voting). Anyone caught will be subject to the Maximum Criminal Penalties allowed by law. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 5, 2018

In the first tweet, Trump is recasting the concept of voter suppression to include the posting of poll results unfavorable to Republicans (“Fake Suppression Polls”). In the second tweet, he’s actually practicing a type of voter suppression by suggesting, falsely, that he has the ability to bring down extra police scrutiny and judicial punishment for those deemed to have voted illegally. In fact, voting is handled by the states. But the impression created by the tweet is that opponents of the president should be wary.

As conservative pundit Bill Kristol tweeted:

Good news: This is likely fake news. Is there any actual "notification" by the federal government to states to "watch closely" for illegal voting, let alone an attempt by the feds to specify penalties?
Bad news: The U.S. president is engaged in voter suppression, pure and simple. https://t.co/WbygMvNyEc
— Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) November 5, 2018

Former Obama administration official Ronald Klain tweeted to the same effect:

Hey, you know what else is illegal?

Any effort to "intimidate, threaten, or coerce any other person for the purpose of interfering with the right of such other person to vote." (18 U.S.C. 594).

Don't you think you've gotten yourself in enough trouble, already? https://t.co/6ofVE6pWmb
— Ronald Klain (@RonaldKlain) November 5, 2018