All articles tagged with #department of justice
Sen. Thom Tillis criticized Trump's proposed $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund intended to compensate Jan. 6 rioters, calling it 'stupid on stilts' and 'horrible politics' with 'horrible timing.' He warned that some claimants could be convicted attackers and reported GOP pushback as Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche faced scrutiny at a Senate meeting, urging the idea be reconsidered by Trump’s team.
Sen. Thom Tillis blasted the DOJ's $1.776 billion Anti-Weaponization Fund on CNN, calling it 'stupid on stilts' and a 'payout pot for punks,' arguing relief should go to warfare victims rather than those convicted of crimes. The fund would compensate people who say they were targeted for political prosecutions and is tied to a Trump-IRS settlement over leaked tax returns; it has drawn bipartisan opposition and bills to block it, with lawmakers like Fitzpatrick and Suozzi pushing back and even McConnell condemning the idea. Tillis also criticized Iran deal terms, saying the administration's posture doesn’t make sense.
A federal judge dismissed all charges against the Broadview Six after the DOJ admitted prosecutorial misconduct—vouching to grand jurors, altering grand jury composition, and undisclosed communications—leading to a sharp rebuke of prosecutors; the ruling underscores concerns about First Amendment rights and the DOJ’s power, and discusses potential compensation avenues via a Trump‑funded “weaponization” slush fund.
Fifteen people were indicted on federal charges for schemes that drained more than $90 million from Minnesota’s Medicaid programs serving children, the homeless, and disabled residents, including a record autism-services fraud case; federal officials framed it as a major victory in a broader crackdown with expanded Medicaid strike force teams.
A federal judge ruled the Presidential Records Act is likely constitutional and ordered the White House to comply, rejecting a DOJ opinion that the law is unconstitutional. The 54-page decision says Congress has the power under the Property Clause to regulate presidential records and found a substantial risk the White House isn’t following the Act; the order becomes effective May 26.
The U.S. Department of Justice issued a one-page directive, signed by acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, declaring that Donald Trump, his family, and their businesses are forever barred from prosecuting or pursuing any tax claims, including current or potential audits, as part of a settlement over a $10 billion IRS information-leak case; the ruling is linked to the creation of an 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' overseen by a five-member commission (four appointed by Blanche), a move that drew strong criticism from Democrats and ethics experts who question its constitutionality and impartiality.
President Trump urged the Justice Department to investigate an error in Maryland’s mail-in ballots for the upcoming primaries, publicly blaming Democratic Gov. Wes Moore; state officials said replacement ballots are being sent to voters affected by ballots mailed before May 14, and there is no evidence of widespread fraud, as Trump continues his push to tighten mail voting amid longstanding unfounded fraud claims.
The Justice Department alleges Yale School of Medicine illegally considered race in admissions, finding Black and Hispanic applicants had substantially higher odds of admission than similarly qualified white or Asian applicants despite lower GPAs and MCATs; the agency seeks a voluntary resolution or potential court action, while Yale defends its holistic process and says it will review the letter.
Reports say the US DOJ dropped fraud charges against billionaire Gautam Adani after he retained Trump’s lawyer, Robert Giuffra Jr., who allegedly proposed a $10 billion US investment and 15,000 jobs if charges were dropped. New York indictment last year accused Adani and two executives of bribery and deceiving investors; prosecutors say such offers should not influence outcomes. Giuffra, co-chair of Sullivan & Cromwell, has strong ties to both Trump and Modi-linked business networks amid ongoing controversy over the Adani Group.
The DOJ moved certain marijuana products—from FDA-approved items to state-licensed medical cannabis—from Schedule I to Schedule III, a narrow step that allows medical prescriptions but does not legalize cannabis federally or for recreation. Enforcement remains discretionary, and ongoing lawsuits challenge the order, while states continue operating under a patchwork system with broad public support for legalization but no federal change on the horizon.
President Donald Trump’s bid to indict former FBI Director James Comey has prompted a wave of turnover in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, with more than six prosecutors demoted or pushed out amid internal turmoil. Notable moves include the firing of Siebert, the ouster of interim U.S. attorney Lindsey Halligan after a judge found her appointment unlawful, and the demotion or firing of Maya Song, Brian Samuels, Robert McBride and Michael Ben’Ary. Comey was indicted again in April on charges including threats to the President. The EDVA handles key national-security cases, and officials say the upheaval has left the office understaffed and illustrates a politicized reliance on prosecuting political foes.
The Department of Justice says UCLA's David Geffen School of Medicine illegally considered race in its admissions, allegedly favoring Black and Hispanic applicants over white and Asian students and citing lower 2023–2024 GPAs and test scores as evidence of non-academic factors. The DOJ plans to sue and seeks potential consequences, including loss of federal funding, while UCLA defends its merit-based process and compliance with laws. The case fits into broader debates on affirmative action and diversity policies in higher education.
Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney in Washington, signaled that prosecutors could resurrect their inquiry into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell after dropping it when a federal judge blocked subpoenas; she said the probe could resume if an internal audit finds misconduct, even as Powell resists President Trump’s push to cut interest rates.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche says the Comey indictment isn’t about the Instagram seashell photo alone but a broader body of evidence gathered over about 11 months and presented to a grand jury; prosecutors say more evidence exists but can’t be disclosed, and the full case will be revealed at a public trial, while critics question the focus on the “86 47” seashells and related rhetoric.
The Department of Justice is suing New Jersey to overturn two laws that extend in-state tuition and state-funded financial aid to undocumented students, arguing they violate federal law by giving benefits not available to U.S. citizens. The laws, initially enacted by former Gov. Chris Christie (2013) and expanded by Gov. Phil Murphy (2018), require certain criteria (NJ high school attendance, diploma, and a legalization affidavit) to qualify. New Jersey officials say the laws are lawful and note similar challenges against other states, while the Trump administration has pressed multiple lawsuits against NJ policies and related immigration actions.