One legal interpretation, advanced by the Department of Justice, is that the 120-day limit for an interim U.S. attorney applies on a per-appointment basis, so each interim appointment restarts the 120-day clock.
November 24, 2025
high
legal interpretation
Competing statutory interpretations about how to calculate the 120-day tenure limit for interim U.S. attorneys.
A provision in a spending package would allow U.S. senators who were directly targeted by the U.S. Department of Justice to sue the federal government for up to $500,000.
November 20, 2025
high
policy
Describes the monetary remedy and who is eligible under the provision added to a legislative spending package.
The provision would require that U.S. senators be notified if the U.S. Department of Justice requests their information, including via subpoenas of phone records.
November 20, 2025
high
policy
Specifies a notification requirement tied to DOJ requests for senators' information as written in the provision.
The provision was written to apply prospectively as well as retroactively to provide protection for U.S. senators against Department of Justice investigative actions.
November 20, 2025
high
policy
Indicates the temporal scope of the protection offered to senators under the provision.
A 2025 U.S. federal law requires the Department of Justice to release all files and communications related to financier Jeffrey Epstein and any information about the federal investigation into his 2019 death within 30 days.
November 20, 2025
high
policy
Describes the scope and statutory timeline for disclosure under the 2025 legislation.
The 2025 U.S. federal law permits redactions of information about Jeffrey Epsteinās victims when those details are part of ongoing federal investigations.
November 20, 2025
high
policy
Specifies allowable protections for victim information within the required disclosures.
The 2025 U.S. federal law bars the Department of Justice from withholding Epstein-related information on grounds of 'embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity'.
November 20, 2025
high
policy
Identifies prohibited bases for non-disclosure under the statute.
The 2025 U.S. law permits redactions in released case files to protect victims' identities for ongoing federal investigations.
November 20, 2025
high
temporal
Statutory allowance for protecting victim privacy when releasing investigatory records.
The 2025 U.S. law prohibits the U.S. Department of Justice from withholding investigatory information on the basis of embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity.
November 20, 2025
high
temporal
Statutory constraints on permissible grounds for withholding investigatory records by the Department of Justice.
The U.S. Department of Justice can appoint special prosecutors to assist in conducting investigations.
November 20, 2025
high
procedural
Describes a standard DOJ investigative mechanism used to allocate prosecutorial resources or independence for particular matters.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law in 2025, requires the U.S. Department of Justice to produce its files related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation within 30 days.
November 20, 2025
high
legal
Statutory requirement created by the Epstein Files Transparency Act for DOJ production of investigation files.
When grand jury material is produced publicly, courts or the Department of Justice commonly redact victim-related and other personally identifying information before release.
November 20, 2025
high
procedural
Privacy-protective practice applied to public releases of grand jury or investigative materials.
Legislation can require the U.S. Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and U.S. attorney's offices to produce files related to specific individuals or entities within a 30-day deadline while permitting the withholding or redaction of survivors' personal information and other sensitive material provided that explanations for withholding are given to Congress.
November 19, 2025
high
temporal
Statutory design that balances mandatory document release deadlines with privacy and confidentiality carve-outs.
The U.S. Department of Justice can assign U.S. Attorneys to conduct investigations on behalf of the Department.
November 19, 2025
high
descriptive
U.S. Attorneys, as federal prosecutors, can be tasked by the Justice Department to lead or participate in specific investigations.
A U.S. district judge has authority to conduct contempt investigations that can determine whether to refer alleged contempt matters for criminal prosecution.
November 19, 2025
high
temporal
Federal judicial powers regarding contempt proceedings and potential referral for prosecution.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act is a proposed bill that would require the U.S. Department of Justice to release files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
November 18, 2025
high
legislative
Description of the primary requirement of the named legislative proposal.
Congress can enact legislation that compels the U.S. Department of Justice to release its files on a specified subject within a statutory deadline, such as requiring release within 30 days.
November 18, 2025
high
procedural
Legislative authority to require executive-branch disclosure through statute.
The President of the United States can direct executive branch agencies to release or approve the release of agency-held files without new legislation, subject to applicable legal constraints.
November 18, 2025
high
legal
Executive authority to order release of executive-branch records, though legal limits may apply.
The U.S. Department of Justice publishes copies of presidential pardons on its official website as part of making clemency documents publicly accessible.
November 17, 2025
high
procedural
Federal executive clemency documents are routinely posted online by the Department of Justice for public access.
An interim U.S. attorney position is limited to a 120-day duration.
November 14, 2025
high
temporal
Federal interim U.S. attorney appointments are subject to a 120-day time limit before other appointment mechanisms are used.
U.S. Attorney's Offices represent and defend the U.S. Department of Justice in federal civil litigation.
November 14, 2025
high
procedural
U.S. Attorney's Offices serve as the Department of Justice's litigating arm in federal courts for civil matters involving the government.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act would require the U.S. Department of Justice to release all files and communications related to investigations of Jeffrey Epstein, including information about the investigation into his death in federal prison, while permitting redaction of information about victims or ongoing federal investigations but prohibiting redaction based on embarrassment, reputational harm, or political sensitivity to any government official, public figure, or foreign dignitary.
November 13, 2025
high
legal
Summary of the main provisions contained in the proposed Epstein Files Transparency Act.
Legislation can direct the U.S. Department of Justice to redact identifying details and child sexual abuse materials from files it releases.
November 12, 2025
high
policy
Example of a common statutory privacy and victim-protection provision that can be included in laws governing disclosure of law-enforcement records
The U.S. Department of Justice has maintained a policy against indicting or prosecuting a sitting president.
November 10, 2025
high
policy
Department of Justice charging policy regarding a sitting president.
As of 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice reported that violent crime in Washington, D.C., was at a 30-year low.
November 10, 2025
high
statistical
Reported characterization of Washington, D.C. violent crime levels by the U.S. Department of Justice.
The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) is the branch of the U.S. Department of Justice that houses the federal immigration courts.
November 06, 2025
high
institutional
Organizational description of the office that administers U.S. immigration courts.
The U.S. Department of Justice can deploy election monitors to counties to observe elections.
November 04, 2025
high
general
Federal civil rights and election oversight actions can include sending observers or monitors to local jurisdictions.
The Epstein Files Transparency Act requires the U.S. Department of Justice to comply with the bill's disclosure requirements within 30 days.
November 03, 2025
high
legal
The Act sets a 30-day deadline for DOJ to produce records subject to the law's disclosure provisions.
As of 2025, multiple Mississippi law enforcement agencies had been subject to federal scrutiny, including investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice.
October 30, 2025
high
contextual
Describes a pattern of federal oversight applied to law enforcement agencies in Mississippi.
The U.S. Department of Justice can conduct civil-rights investigations of local police departments and conclude that those departments discriminated against Black people and repeatedly violated citizens' civil rights.
October 30, 2025
high
contextual
Describes the possible outcomes and scope of DOJ civil-rights investigations into policing practices.
U.S. military attorneys can be detailed to the U.S. Department of Justice to serve as special assistant U.S. attorneys or to perform temporary duties such as serving as immigration judges to support federal immigration enforcement efforts.
October 30, 2025
high
practice
Describes an established practice of assigning military legal personnel to civilian Justice Department roles.
Positions supporting immigration enforcement in the Department of Justice commonly seek attorneys with significant experience in immigration law, administrative law, prosecution, and litigation.
October 30, 2025
high
hiring_preference
General qualifications commonly requested for DOJ roles related to immigration enforcement.
The U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation commonly limit public comments about active criminal investigations to avoid tainting prosecutions.
October 29, 2025
high
temporal
Describes a routine practice by DOJ and FBI intended to protect the integrity of prosecutions.
The U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) issues legal opinions that can be used to assess or justify the legality of executive-branch actions, including the use of military force.
October 29, 2025
high
general
Role of OLC in providing legal interpretations to the executive branch.
The U.S. Department of Justice operates an administrative claims process for payment requests that typically requires approval by senior DOJ officials.
October 28, 2025
high
procedural
Describes the DOJ's internal procedure for handling requests to pay claims or damages.
The U.S. Department of Justice offers monetary rewards for information leading to the capture of individuals charged in federal criminal cases.
October 28, 2025
high
descriptive
Use of reward programs as a tool for fugitive apprehension by the U.S. federal government.
The U.S. Department of Justice can require preservation of written and electronic communications related to attempts to impede or obstruct federal law enforcement and can investigate and prosecute officials who violate federal statutes that obstruct federal law enforcement.
October 24, 2025
high
legal_procedure
DOJ uses preservation directives and criminal investigation authority to protect federal law enforcement operations and enforce laws against obstruction.
Federal government lawyers have asserted that Congress has statutory authority to control the operation of the District of Columbia National Guard, including directing federally controlled Guard units in Washington, D.C.
October 24, 2025
medium
legal-claim
This summarizes the federal government's legal position as reported in litigation over National Guard deployments in Washington, D.C.
In 2025 the U.S. Department of Justice changed qualification criteria for temporary immigration judges to remove the requirement of prior immigration-law experience.
October 24, 2025
high
policy
Summarizes a 2025 change to DOJ qualification rules for temporary immigration-judge appointments.
Individuals can file administrative claims with the U.S. Department of Justice seeking monetary compensation related to federal investigations or government actions.
October 23, 2025
high
administrative
Describes a legal mechanism for seeking monetary relief from federal actions through the Department of Justice.
The U.S. Department of Justice manual requires that any settlement of federal claims involving the Department be approved by the Deputy Attorney General or the Associate Attorney General.
October 22, 2025
high
legal_procedure
DOJ internal approval process for settling claims against the federal government.
Officials at the U.S. Department of Justice are expected to follow guidance from career ethics officials when addressing potential conflicts of interest.
October 22, 2025
high
ethics_policy
Ethics oversight and recusal practices for DOJ personnel.
The U.S. Department of Justice can review university admissions and financial aid processes to assess compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws.
October 22, 2025
high
procedural
Federal enforcement agencies have authority to investigate institutional practices related to admissions and financial aid for potential civil-rights violations.
The U.S. Department of Justice can reach agreements with universities to pause civil-rights investigations in exchange for commitments by the university to follow federal guidance forbidding racial discrimination in admissions and hiring.
October 22, 2025
high
legal
Describes a regulatory mechanism used to resolve federal civil-rights reviews of higher-education institutions.
Some universityāJustice Department agreements require universities to provide regular compliance data (for example, quarterly) over a multi-year period and require the university president to personally certify compliance each reporting period.
October 22, 2025
high
compliance
Describes common compliance provisions included in agreements resolving federal reviews of campus practices.
Settlements that resolve federal investigations into universities have sometimes included financial measures intended to restore or preserve access to federal funding.
October 22, 2025
high
financial
Describes a type of remedy that has been used in resolving federal reviews of higher-education institutions.
Under U.S. law, defendants can challenge the legitimacy of a prosecutor's appointment as a basis to seek dismissal of an indictment.
October 20, 2025
high
legal_procedure
Legal challenges to a prosecutor's appointment can be raised as part of motions to dismiss criminal charges.
The U.S. Department of Justice treats transmission of classified national defense information via personal email accounts and messaging applications as potentially illegal transmission of national defense information.
October 16, 2025
medium
legal
Means of transmission (personal email and messaging apps) can be relevant to criminal liability for handling classified information.
The U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division enforces federal voting rights laws that protect the rights of all eligible citizens to access the ballot.
October 11, 2025
high
policy
Describes the statutory enforcement role of the DOJ Civil Rights Division in election-related voting rights.
The U.S. Department of Justice regularly deploys staff to monitor elections in communities across the United States for compliance with federal civil rights laws.
October 11, 2025
high
operational
Describes a recurring practice by the DOJ to oversee election compliance with federal civil rights protections.
The U.S. Department of Justice deploys federal election monitors to observe polling sites to assess transparency, ballot security, and compliance with federal law.
October 11, 2025
high
operational
Describes the purpose and focus areas for federal election monitoring by the DOJ at polling locations.
The U.S. Department of Justice can open criminal investigations (criminal probes) into alleged misconduct such as mortgage fraud.
October 09, 2025
high
procedural
Authority and typical investigative practice of the DOJ
Justice Department employees who are not part of a prosecution team can still be subject to internal warnings or scrutiny if they publicly repost or comment on ongoing criminal matters, because such conduct may raise concerns about affecting a defendant's right to a fair trial.
October 08, 2025
medium
administrative
DOJ maintains internal expectations and oversight for employee public communications to avoid prejudicing litigation.
The U.S. Department of Justice traditionally maintains a degree of independence from the White House in investigations and prosecutions to help insulate those functions from partisan politics.
October 07, 2025
high
institutional
Describes a long-standing institutional norm intended to separate prosecutorial and investigative decision-making from the executive branch's partisan political interests.
The Public Integrity Section of the U.S. Department of Justice is responsible for prosecuting public corruption.
October 07, 2025
high
organizational
Identifies the prosecutorial function of a specific DOJ component.
The Civil Rights Division is a division within the U.S. Department of Justice.
October 07, 2025
high
organizational
Names a major DOJ division referenced in discussions of department staffing and civil-rights-related work.
Policy priorities at the U.S. Department of Justice can shift between presidential administrations, producing changes in emphasis such as increased focus on violent crime, immigration enforcement, or dismantling transnational drug-smuggling cartels.
October 07, 2025
high
structural
Explains how prosecutorial and enforcement priorities can change with different administrations.
Transitions in Justice Department leadership can result in mass firings or resignations of experienced federal prosecutors.
October 07, 2025
high
structural
Describes a pattern of personnel turnover associated with changes in departmental leadership.
The U.S. Department of Justice has purview over multiple federal agencies.
October 07, 2025
high
organizational
Describes the organizational scope of the Department of Justice.
The U.S. Attorney General's responsibilities include efforts to combat violent crime as part of federal law enforcement priorities.
October 07, 2025
high
role_definition
Describes a general, enduring responsibility associated with the office of the Attorney General.
The Senate Judiciary Committee conducts oversight of the U.S. Department of Justice and holds hearings in which the Attorney General may testify.
October 07, 2025
high
temporal
Summarizes the committee's oversight function regarding the Justice Department and the Attorney General.
Career prosecutors sometimes resign from the U.S. Department of Justice citing concerns about political interference or ethical conflicts that they believe would compromise the department's prosecutorial independence.
October 07, 2025
high
temporal
Describes a recurring personnel response tied to perceptions of compromised prosecutorial independence.
Harmeet Dhillon is the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice.
October 06, 2025
high
entity_role
Official title and role within the U.S. Department of Justice.
A 2025 Gallup poll found that fewer than 35% of Americans rated the State Department, the Federal Aviation Administration, the Justice Department, the Federal Reserve Board and the Department of Veterans Affairs positively.
September 16, 2025
high
temporal
Overall approval levels for several federal agencies were below 35% in the 2025 poll.
The U.S. Department of Justice can assemble multi-agency federal task forces to address violent crime that include components such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and National Guard troops.
September 15, 2025
high
temporal
Typical composition of DOJ-led federal task forces deployed to support local law enforcement in violent-crime responses.
The U.S. Department of Justice has historically deployed federal election observers to jurisdictions with prior election issues to help ensure compliance with election laws.
August 01, 2025
high
temporal
Describes DOJ's general practice of sending election monitoring resources to areas with histories of election problems.
Between January 2024 and March 2025, almost 4,000 applications for new concealed carry weapon (CCW) permits were submitted in Los Angeles County and two of those applications were approved, according to statements made by U.S. Department of Justice officials.
March 31, 2025
high
temporal
Aggregate application and approval counts for CCW permits in Los Angeles County reported by U.S. Department of Justice officials covering Jan 2024āMar 2025.
U.S. Department of Justice statements alleged that some applicants for concealed carry permits in Los Angeles County waited as long as two years just to receive an interview as part of the CCW permitting process.
March 31, 2025
high
temporal
Reported applicant interview wait times for Los Angeles County CCW permit processing cited by U.S. Department of Justice officials.
The Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey is responsible for overseeing all federal criminal prosecutions and the litigation of all civil matters in New Jersey in which the federal government has an interest.
March 28, 2025
high
organizational
Role and responsibilities as described by the U.S. Department of Justice for the office of the Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey.
Including offices in Newark, Camden, and Trenton, the Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey supervises approximately 155 federal prosecutors and approximately 130 support personnel.
March 28, 2025
high
organizational
Staffing levels and office locations associated with the office of the Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey as reported by the U.S. Department of Justice.
State and local election officials can refer suspected unlawful voter registrations and alleged voting crimes to the U.S. Department of Justice for potential criminal prosecution.
October 28, 2024
high
procedural
Describes a common enforcement route used by election authorities to pursue alleged illegal registrations or voting.
The U.S. Department of Justice can investigate colleges and universities for compliance with federal civil rights laws, including alleged racial discrimination in admissions and hiring.
October 01, 2024
high
legal
Describes federal enforcement authority over higher education institutions regarding civil rights compliance.
Agreements between universities and the U.S. Department of Justice can include requirements for periodic provision of relevant information and for institutional leaders to certify ongoing compliance with federal laws.
October 01, 2024
medium
legal
Describes common elements that can appear in settlement or compliance agreements between federal authorities and higher education institutions.
Federal investigations of higher education institutions can encompass multiple issues simultaneously, such as alleged discrimination in admissions and hiring as well as allegations of antisemitism on campus.
October 01, 2024
high
legal
Illustrates the scope of topics that federal civil rights reviews of colleges and universities may cover.
Between 2021-02-01 and 2024-05-01, the U.S. Department of Defense provided $48,812,351 in research funding to Washington University, Saint Louis University, and Vandeventer Place Research Foundation located in Missouri's 1st Congressional District.
May 01, 2024
high
temporal
Federal Department of Defense research grant records for Missouri's 1st Congressional District.
A U.S. Department of Justice review conducted under the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act and released in January 2024 concluded that federal prosecution may have been possible at the time of the 1921 massacre but that there was no longer an avenue to bring a criminal case.
January 01, 2024
high
temporal
Federal review finding about the legal feasibility of prosecuting crimes from the 1921 massacre.
A 2024 U.S. Department of Justice review conducted under the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act concluded that federal prosecution for crimes related to the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre may have been possible at the time but that no avenue remained to bring a criminal case by 2024.
January 01, 2024
high
temporal
Findings from a federal review assessing prosecutability of crimes from the 1921 massacre.
The U.S. Department of Justice deployed election resources to Alaska municipal elections in October 2023.
October 01, 2023
high
temporal
Example of DOJ deploying election support to non-federal, local elections.
A 2023 study funded by the U.S. Department of Justice concluded that police vehicle pursuits should be rare because the dangers of high-speed chases often outweigh the immediate need to take a suspect into custody.
January 01, 2023
high
temporal
Findings and recommendation from a 2023 DOJ-funded study on vehicle pursuits.
A 2023 Justice Departmentābacked report characterized PIT maneuvers and high-speed pursuits as high-risk and controversial tactics.
January 01, 2023
high
temporal
Assessment of risks associated with certain police pursuit tactics.
The U.S. Department of Justice deployed federal election monitors to California during the 2022 general election.
November 08, 2022
high
temporal
Historical deployment of DOJ election monitors to a state-level general election.
The Arctic Frost investigation, led by Special Counsel Jack Smith, was launched in response to the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack and focused on efforts to challenge the 2020 U.S. presidential election results.
January 06, 2021
high
temporal
Describes the origin and focus of the Arctic Frost special counsel investigation.
The U.S. Department of Justice issued a February 5, 2020 memorandum titled 'Additional Requirements for Opening of Certain Sensitive Investigations' that requires authorization before a field office may initiate a full investigation designated as a Sensitive Investigative Matter (SIM).
February 05, 2020
high
temporal
DOJ policy establishing extra approval steps for investigations designated as SIMs.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) uses the designation 'Sensitive Investigative Matter' (SIM) for certain investigations, and SIMs are subject to the Department of Justice's additional approval requirements.
February 05, 2020
high
procedural
SIM is a categorical designation for investigations that triggers DOJ authorization requirements.
The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit in 2020 alleging that conditions in Alabama's prison system violate the constitutional ban on cruel and unusual punishment.
January 01, 2020
high
temporal
Federal civil litigation challenging prison conditions in Alabama.
In 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice brought indictments that characterized the term "Cartel de los Soles" as an alleged NicolƔs Maduro-led drug trafficking organization accused of working with the FARC to traffic cocaine through Venezuela to the United States.
January 01, 2020
high
temporal
U.S. legal framing that elevated the term into a label for an alleged organized trafficking network.
The U.S. Department of Justice lost its legal attempt to block AT&T's acquisition of Time Warner in 2018.
January 01, 2018
high
legal_precedent
Historical antitrust litigation outcome relevant to media merger challenges.
The U.S. Department of Justice, through U.S. Attorney's Offices, investigates and prosecutes assaults and obstruction against federal law enforcement officers.
high
procedural
Federal prosecutors have authority to pursue criminal charges for assaults on or obstruction of federal officers.
Instructions by police supervisors to reclassify or downgrade offense charges can change reported crime statistics and may trigger external investigations by oversight bodies such as the U.S. Department of Justice or legislative oversight committees.
high
process
Explains how internal classification practices affect public crime data and can prompt external review.
The U.S. Department of Justice has asserted that the President retains authority under federal law to deploy National Guard forces in response to incidents of domestic unrest.
high
legal-claim
Summarizes a stated legal position about executive authority to use National Guard forces for domestic security purposes.
The U.S. Department of Justice has pursued legal actions against jurisdictions described as 'sanctuary' cities or states in response to those jurisdictions' resistance to federal mass deportation efforts, with many of those suits remaining unresolved.
high
temporal
Description of a pattern of DOJ litigation related to immigration enforcement policy.
Lindsay Halligan is the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
high
position
Identification of the U.S. Attorney office holder for the Eastern District of Virginia.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is an agency that operates under the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).
high
organizational
Organizational relationship within federal law enforcement.
The U.S. Department of Justice can bring lawsuits against state education agencies and related organizations alleging violations of federal civil rights laws.
high
legal
Federal enforcement mechanism for alleged civil rights violations involving state actors and institutions.
U.S. attorneys operate within the U.S. Department of Justice and are subordinate to the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General.
high
organizational
Explains the chain of command and organizational placement of U.S. attorneys within the federal executive branch.
The U.S. Department of Justice has a policy advising against prosecuting a sitting U.S. president.
high
legal
Department of Justice charging policy regarding sitting presidents.
The U.S. Department of Justice maintains formal procedural rules that govern how prosecutors and departmental offices bring criminal cases and handle evidence, and those rules are expected to be followed.
high
procedural
Describes durable procedural requirements within the Department of Justice for initiating and conducting prosecutions.
A special counsel appointed within the U.S. Department of Justice can conduct federal criminal investigations and bring federal charges, including charges related to alleged mishandling of classified information and alleged schemes to interfere with elections.
high
institutional
Describes the powers and typical subject matter of special counsel investigations within the DOJ.
The proposed resolution seeks to transfer oversight of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to the U.S. Department of Justice and to create independent civilian review boards to investigate enforcement actions by immigration agents.
high
policy_proposal
Structural and accountability changes recommended for oversight of federal immigration enforcement.
In U.S. federal criminal cases, sentencing can include imprisonment, a period of supervised release, court-ordered restitution to victim agencies, and forfeiture of property derived from criminal proceeds.
high
descriptive
Summarizes common sentencing components available in federal criminal prosecutions.
Parties in federal criminal cases can challenge the validity or authority of an interim U.S. Attorney as part of pretrial litigation.
high
legal_procedure
Challenges to the appointment or authority of prosecutors can be raised in court as part of defense strategy.
The U.S. Office of Special Counsel is an independent federal watchdog agency that investigates whistleblower reports from federal employees.
high
organizational
Describes the mandate and independence of the Office of Special Counsel.
U.S. Department of Justice investigations have previously sought telephone toll records of members of Congress and congressional staff as part of leak and other investigations, including subpoenas involving Representative Eric Swalwell, Representative Adam Schiff, and Senator Robert Menendez.
medium
precedent
Notes historical examples of DOJ subpoenas for lawmakers' phone records as precedents for such investigative practice.
The U.S. Department of Justice enforces federal grand jury secrecy requirements that can limit what witnesses, including former prosecutors, may publicly disclose without DOJ guidance or authorization.
high
procedural
Grand jury secrecy rules are statutory and departmental policies that restrict public disclosure of grand jury matters.
Special counsels prepare final reports on their investigations, and the Department of Justice can withhold portions of those reports from public release when doing so is deemed necessary because of ongoing criminal proceedings.
high
institutional
DOJ balance between transparency and protecting ongoing prosecutions can lead to partial redaction or withholding of investigatory reports.
Election monitoring is a routine function of the U.S. Department of Justice.
high
institutional
Describes a recurring role of the Department of Justice in observing and overseeing elections.
The U.S. Department of Justice has an internal legal opinion that sitting U.S. presidents cannot be subject to federal criminal prosecution.
high
legal
Department of Justice policy position that has influenced charging decisions regarding a sitting president.
Deferred prosecution agreements or dismissal resolutions in corporate criminal matters can be structured to require corporations to make monetary payments, provide compensation to victims, and implement internal safety, quality, or compliance measures as conditions of resolution.
high
procedural
Describes common components used by prosecutors and defendants when resolving corporate criminal liability without a trial.
Federal agencies such as the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of Education, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services can conduct investigations and compliance reviews of universities for compliance with federal civil rights laws.
high
procedural
Federal enforcement and compliance processes for civil rights requirements applicable to educational institutions that receive federal funds.
The U.S. Department of Justice publishes a document titled "Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funding Regarding Unlawful Discrimination" intended as a training resource for institutions that receive federal funds.
high
policy
Guidance document available from the Department of Justice for federal funding recipients on unlawful discrimination.
The U.S. Department of Justice can resolve corporate criminal matters by entering non-prosecution agreements that impose financial penalties, require investments in compliance and safety programs, and provide compensation for victims.
high
legal
Describes a common DOJ enforcement and disposition mechanism for corporate criminal matters.
The proposed Epstein Files Transparency Act would require the U.S. Justice Department to release within 30 days documents related to investigations of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, including flight logs, travel records, names of individuals and entities referenced in any Epstein case, internal Justice Department communications, and records concerning destruction, deletion, alteration, misplacement, or concealment of documents, recordings, or electronic data related to Epstein and his associates.
high
policy
Scope and timeline provisions contained in proposed legislation aimed at public disclosure of investigative materials.
Federal law governing U.S. attorney vacancies authorizes the Attorney General to appoint interim U.S. attorneys to lead U.S. Attorney's Offices during vacancies.
high
procedural
Statutory authority for filling temporary vacancies in U.S. Attorney offices.
The U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Hiring Program can include grant conditions requiring recipient jurisdictions to certify that grant funds will not be used for programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
high
temporal
Federal grant programs sometimes attach use and certification conditions to awardees.
Some federal grant conditions have required recipient jurisdictions to certify that they do not have programs that advance or promote DEI, DEIA, or what is described as 'discriminatory equity ideology'.
high
temporal
Grant terms can include affirmative certifications about local policies and programs.
A U.S. Attorney is the Department of Justice's top federal prosecutor in a U.S. judicial district.
high
definition
Describes the role referenced in the article (Justice Department's top prosecutor in a state or district).
Congress has the authority to pass legislation that requires federal agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice, to disclose investigatory files or other records.
high
institutional
Legislation enacted by Congress can include provisions mandating disclosure of agency records or files to other branches or to the public, subject to legal limits and privileges.
The U.S. Congress can refer individuals or investigative targets to the U.S. Department of Justice for criminal prosecution, and the Department of Justice is not legally obligated to pursue charges in response to such referrals.
high
legal
Institutional practice regarding congressional referrals to the DOJ.
A U.S. law can compel the U.S. Department of Justice and the Attorney General to produce case files and internal communications from federal investigations.
high
legal
Describes the legal authority of legislation to require disclosure of federal investigative records and internal communications.
Executive actions can direct the U.S. Department of Justice to form litigation task forces to challenge state laws regulating artificial intelligence.
high
procedural
Litigation task forces are a tool the executive branch can use to centralize enforcement of federal technology policy and contest state-level regulation.
The U.S. Department of Justice has pursued litigation in multiple cases challenging state laws that provide in-state tuition benefits to undocumented immigrants on the ground that those state laws conflict with federal law.
high
legal_trend
Federal enforcement actions have been used to dispute the compatibility of state tuition policies for undocumented immigrants with federal law.
The U.S. Department of Justice establishes conditions of confinement for federal inmates based on assessments of security risks, criminal histories, and other relevant considerations.
high
policy
General DOJ practice for determining confinement conditions.