issues kind of -- can distract us. >> reporter: the white house says there is no harm in conducting the probe. >> he is the leader of our democracy and he wants to make sure the under girding hallmarks of our democracy are protected. one person one vote. what is everybody afraid of? >> reporter: volter fraud investigations are normally triggered when the fbi and department of justice discover credible evidence to suggest fraud. not because of an order from the president. >> the u.s. department of justice is an independent agency. in order for the justice department to do its job and to work and function well, it has to do so independent of direction from the president and must completely stay above politics. >> have a good time, everybody. >> reporter: president trump continues to cite a few 2012 report. but the study's author david becker has repeatedly told cnn the study found no evidence of widespread voter fraud.