Attorney General

Trump tweets criticism of ‘deep state’ Justice Department, suggests it should act on Comey, Abedin

President Donald Trump renewed his criticism of the U.S. Justice Department in a tweet on Tuesday while also targeting fired FBI director James Comey and Huma Abedin, a former top aide to Hillary Clinton.

Jan 3, 2018 9:35 AM CST

Sessions rescinds letter warning local courts about fees and fines imposed on poor people

Updated: Attorney General Jeff Sessions has rescinded a “Dear Colleague” letter that warned state and local courts about constitutional concerns regarding fees and fines imposed on poor defendants.

Dec 22, 2017 9:26 AM CST

Sessions reportedly orders review of Uranium One probe

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has reportedly ordered Justice Department prosecutors to review evidence in an FBI probe into the sale of a uranium company to Russia’s nuclear agency. FBI agents have been asked to explain the evidence in the now-dormant probe that looked into allegations of corruption surrounding approval of…

Dec 21, 2017 11:31 AM CST

Justice Department says abortion appeal in case of immigrant teen is likely moot because of her age

The U.S. Justice Department says a government appeal is likely moot in the case of an immigrant teen seeking an abortion because the department has learned she is an adult. In a filing on Tuesday, the Justice Department said it had obtained birth certificate for the teen, identified only as…

Dec 20, 2017 10:39 AM CST

A top lawyer for the Texas attorney general resigns after calling #MeToo claims ‘pathetic’

A top aide to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton resigned Thursday after criticizing the #MeToo movement on Facebook. Associate Deputy Attorney General Andrew Leonie resigned “effective immediately,” according to a spokesman for Paxton’s office. The New York Times, the Associated Press, the Texas Tribune and the Dallas Morning News have…

Dec 15, 2017 10:35 AM CST

FCC repeals net neutrality rules; at least 2 state AGs plan to challenge

At least two state attorneys general announced they will join a multistate lawsuit challenging Thursday's decision by the Federal Communications Commission to repeal net neutrality rules requiring internet providers to provide equal access to apps and websites.

Dec 14, 2017 1:43 PM CST

Rosenstein says he wouldn’t agree to fire Mueller; calls mount for a second special counsel

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein said Wednesday he sees no reason to fire special counsel Robert Mueller and he wouldn’t agree to a request to do so. Rosenstein spoke during testimony before the House Judiciary Committee, report Bloomberg Politics and USA Today. “I know what he’s doing,” Rosenstein said of…

Dec 13, 2017 10:19 AM CST

Justice Department reverses course and urges Supreme Court to overrule pro-union precedent

The U.S. Justice Department has switched positions in an amicus brief that asks the U.S. Supreme Court to overrule a 40-year-old decision that benefits unions.

Dec 8, 2017 8:00 AM CST

Justice Department left ‘incorrect impression’ in stay request, federal judge tells Supreme Court

A federal judge in San Francisco has filed an unusual statement with the U.S. Supreme Court that says the Justice Department left an “incorrect impression” in its request for a stay of his order for the disclosure of government records. U.S. District Judge William Alsup filed the statement in response…

Dec 7, 2017 9:34 AM CST

Email from prosecutor on Mueller’s team praised acting AG Yates for refusing to defend travel ban

The conservative group Judicial Watch has released a January email written by a now-senior adviser to special prosecutor Robert Mueller that praised the acting attorney general after she refused to defend President Donald Trump’s travel ban.

Dec 6, 2017 8:53 AM CST

Letters: Opening Sessions

In “Jeff’s Law,” October, Attorney General Jeff Sessions is very selective in his memory.

Dec 1, 2017 12:55 AM CST

Former BigLaw partner pleads guilty in plot to sell sealed lawsuits to targeted companies

A former BigLaw partner pleaded guilty on Wednesday to charges stemming from an attempt to sell sealed whistleblower lawsuits he obtained while working at the U.S. Justice Department. Jeffrey Wertkin, 41, pleaded guilty in San Francisco federal court to obstruction of justice and transportation of stolen property across state lines,…

Nov 30, 2017 12:07 PM CST

Kellyanne Conway to lead administration’s fight against opioid abuse

Kellyanne Conway will oversee the administration’s response to the opioid crisis, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced on Wednesday. Conway, an adviser to President Donald Trump, is essentially an opioid czar, New York Magazine reports. BuzzFeed News and the Washington Post covered Sessions’ announcement. “The president has made this a White…

Nov 30, 2017 9:44 AM CST

Sessions orders review of background check database for gun buyers; Black Friday checks set record

Attorney General Jeff Sessions has ordered a review of the criminal background check database for gun buyers after questions arose about the military’s reporting of convictions to the system. Sessions ordered a comprehensive review last Wednesday that includes a look at how the military reports convictions, the New York Times…

Nov 27, 2017 2:25 PM CST

Justice Department opens Harvard admissions probe, threatens to sue for documents

The U.S. Justice Department is investigating the admissions practices at Harvard and has threatened to sue the university to obtain documents, according to published reports. The Justice Department is investigating whether Harvard’s admissions policies violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which bans discrimination in programs receiving federal funding,…

Nov 21, 2017 10:38 AM CST