President Donald Trump on Thursday called for an investigation into Democratic House candidate Effie Phillips-Staley, alleging that she had been "caught cheating" by filing fraudulent signatures to get on the ballot.

"Effie Phillips-Staley’s campaign has just been caught CHEATING, RED-HANDED, trying to file hundreds of fraudulent signatures to get on the ballot," he posted on Truth Social. "Justice should be sought, and the fraud should be investigated, IMMEDIATELY! Effie Phillips-Staley is a FRAUDSTER, but the good news is that Congressman Mike Lawler is a WINNER."

Phillips-Staley faces Rep. Mike Lawler, R-N.Y. Trump made the post alongside a screenshot of one from Lawler that saw him highlight a court decision to refer the signature list for investigation.

Lawler has sued to remove his Democratic opponent from the ballot.

"While some will try to gloss over that fact and say the petition was not permeated with fraud based on prior case law, the fact that a candidate for Congress would file hundreds of fraudulent signatures is beyond disqualifying," Lawler said.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.