Attorney General Todd Blanche defended a Justice Department lawsuit tied to Alaska's US Senate race on CNN's State of the Union and CBS's Face the Nation, The Guardian, Washington Examiner, Fox News, and CNBC reported. The suit cites two candidates named Dan Sullivan and asks courts to block certification if confusion tainted the result against incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan.

President Trump said of the suit, "I'm the one that said do it." Blanche would not discuss talks with Trump. On Face the Nation he said he had "no idea who he was referring to," and that even if he did he would not talk about it, Washington Examiner reported. Blanche said the department wants guardrails so ballots can be reviewed if confusion is later proven.

On CNN, Blanche clashed with Dana Bash over January 6 comparisons and pressed points about the Elections Clause. Fox News said Blanche argued Bash showed only part of Article I, Section 4, and that Congress may alter state election rules. Election-law experts quoted by The Guardian called the case weak. Alaska courts had already ruled on the ballot listing.

CNBC said Blanche framed the filing as a way to let Alaska courts sort a fair winner if confusion is shown after Election Day. Critics call the move an unusual federal step 11 days before polls close.

The suit names Daniel J. Sullivan as the source of ballot confusion and asks courts to stop certification if that confusion decides the race. Alaska uses a top-four primary and ranked-choice counting. State officials have defended the ballot labels already on sample forms.

The case turns on two men with the same last name. Ballots already mark who is the sitting senator. Courts will hear the fight next.

What we know: Blanche defended the suit on Sunday shows. Trump said he ordered it.
What we don't: How courts will rule, and whether the suit will affect certification.