Executive Branch

Citing ‘assault on the rule of law,’ federal judge appointed by Reagan resigns so he can speak out

A federal judge appointed in 1985 by then-President Ronald Reagan has resigned from the bench, citing a Trump administration “assault on the rule of law” that compels him to speak out.

Nov 10, 2025 3:12 PM CST

Justice Department struggles as thousands exit—and few are replaced

The Justice Department has lost thousands of experienced attorneys since the start of the Trump administration and has backfilled a fraction of the open jobs, with the process snarled by a lack of qualified candidates, bureaucratic delays and hiring freezes, according to people familiar with hirings in the department.

Nov 10, 2025 10:06 AM CST

Trump pardons Giuliani, other allies who sought to overturn 2020 election

President Donald Trump has pardoned Rudy Giuliani and a host of other prominent allies involved in his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, a Justice Department official said late Sunday, furthering Trump’s efforts to rewrite the history of his losing campaign five years ago.

Nov 10, 2025 9:47 AM CST

Supreme Court allows Trump to end policy of self-identifying gender on passports

The Supreme Court on Thursday allowed the Trump administration to end for now a policy under which people can self-identify their gender on passports, the latest in a string of decisions by the high court rolling back gay and transgender rights.

Nov 7, 2025 9:17 AM CST

Judge scolds Comey prosecutors for ‘indict first and investigate second’ approach

A federal judge on Wednesday scolded the prosecutors pursuing charges against former FBI director James B. Comey for what he described as their “indict first and investigate second” approach to the case, saying it has placed an unfair burden on Comey’s defense.

Nov 5, 2025 2:59 PM CST

Supreme Court appears skeptical of legality of most of Trump’s tariffs

The Supreme Court appeared skeptical of arguments Wednesday that President Donald Trump has legal authority to impose tariffs on a vast range of goods from nearly all countries, signaling the justices could strike down or limit the administration’s signature economic policy.

Nov 5, 2025 1:52 PM CST

If the Trump administration defies the courts, what can be done about it?

What happens when one branch simply ignores the checks and balances enshrined in our Constitution and does what it wants? Specifically, if the judiciary issues a ruling and the executive branch refuses to obey it, what can be done about it?

Nov 5, 2025 8:54 AM CST

Justice Dept. defends Lindsey Halligan against unlawful-appointment criticism

Justice Department lawyers on Monday defended Lindsey Halligan’s role as eastern Virgnia’s top federal prosecutor, saying in court filings that even if her appointment as U.S. attorney is ruled invalid, she now has an additional title that will allow her to continue overseeing cases against two of President Donald Trump’s perceived foes.

Nov 4, 2025 9:25 AM CST

Law firm deals with government have ethical implications, DC Bar ethics opinion says

Law firms that enter into agreements with the government that may limit or shape their law practices should consider the ethical implications, according to an October ethics opinion by the District of Columbia Bar.

Oct 29, 2025 10:22 AM CDT

Letitia James pleads not guilty in mortgage case Trump pushed

New York Attorney General Letitia James pleaded not guilty Friday to allegations of mortgage fraud brought by the Justice Department amid President Donald Trump’s push to prosecute those who have investigated him.

Oct 24, 2025 2:24 PM CDT

Prosecutors push toward charging other Trump foes

President Donald Trump’s unprecedented effort to pressure the Justice Department into prosecuting his perceived enemies have, so far, netted swift results—and more may be on the way.

Oct 17, 2025 9:00 AM CDT

Will Trump’s view of rebellion prevail in suits contesting federal deployment of National Guard?

Updated: So far, three federal judges have ruled against Trump in preliminary decisions, two of which were temporarily stayed in whole or in part by the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Oct 16, 2025 3:25 PM CDT

Justice Department indicts NY attorney general

The Justice Department obtained an indictment against New York Attorney General Letitia James on Thursday, accusing her of committing mortgage fraud when she purchased a property in Virginia.

Oct 10, 2025 9:25 AM CDT

Judge deals Trump new setback in plans to deploy troops to Portland

A federal judge late Sunday dealt another blow to the Trump administration’s plans to send troops to Portland after a weekend of heated confrontations between protesters and federal agents there, temporarily blocking hundreds of California National Guard members as they were deploying to Oregon’s biggest city over objections from Democratic governors in both states.

Oct 6, 2025 10:03 AM CDT

How the federal judiciary will continue operations during shutdown

The federal judiciary will tap funding, such as court fee balances, to temporarily continue paid operations during the government shutdown.

Oct 2, 2025 2:40 PM CDT