WASHINGTON - Attorney General William Barr said Tuesday that he has "not seen fraud on a scale that could have effected a different outcome in the election," undercutting claims that President Donald Trump and his allies have made - without evidence - of widespread and significant voting irregularities.

Attorney General William Barr on Monday gave federal prosecutors approval to pursue allegations of "vote tabulation irregularities" in certain cases before results are certified and indicated he had already done so "in specific instances" - a reversal of long-standing Justice Department policy that quickly drew criticism for fueling unfounded claims of massive election fraud pushed by President Donald Trump and other conservatives.