Justice Department

The Department of Justice has filed its response to a lawsuit challenging the White House's ban on certain media outlets, and a legal expert has broken down the government's arguments. The case is drawing wide attention as it tests press access to the White House and the limits of executive control over which journalists can cover the president.

A federal judge has ordered the Justice Department to explain its handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, warning Attorney General Pam Bondi's department that contempt charges could follow if it does not comply. The order stops short of holding anyone in contempt, calling that step 'premature' for now, but puts the DOJ on notice that further delay could trigger legal consequences as pressure to unseal the documents continues to build.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche announced that the Trump administration is eliminating a $1.8 billion fund described as the 'Anti-Weaponization Fund'. The fund had been tied to Justice Department efforts to prevent the politicization of federal law enforcement. The cancellation signals a broader restructuring of Justice Department priorities under the administration, and the move is drawing attention to how the department will handle weaponization concerns going forward.

Richard Kahn, Jeffrey Epstein's longtime financial manager who appears more than 50,000 times in the Justice Department's Epstein files, was questioned by Congress. Under questioning he confirmed that a woman who accused Donald Trump of sexual abuse received a settlement payment. The testimony has drawn attention to the financial trail behind Epstein's operations and its potential connections to Trump.

The Justice Department has filed an appeal against a court ruling concerning the Kennedy Center, acting ahead of a deadline to remove President Trump's name from the institution. The case centers on the legal fight over the venue's naming, with the impending deadline adding urgency to the government's move. Details of the lower court's decision were not immediately available.

The Supreme Court has allowed the Department of Homeland Security to proceed with an overhaul of its immigration database ahead of the midterm elections, over the dissents of the Court's liberal justices. The decision lifts a block on the DHS plan, which critics warn could affect immigration records used in voter-related checks, while supporters argue it is a routine modernization effort.

The Department of Justice has ordered Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore to preserve 2024 election records that contain private voter information. The directive ensures the materials, which include sensitive personal data of voters, remain intact, likely for an ongoing review or investigation. The order puts Rhode Island's election administration under federal scrutiny.

Todd Blanche, the US Deputy Attorney General, is defending the Justice Department's approach to artificial intelligence and hospital mergers. He argued the administration's stance on AI supports innovation rather than weakening oversight, and that hospital consolidation deals do not automatically harm patients or competition. The remarks have drawn attention from antitrust watchers and health policy commentators.

The US Department of Justice has arrested an American soldier who reportedly made around $400,000 betting on the removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro. The case raises questions about how prediction and betting markets tied to real-world political events are policed, and whether the soldier had access to inside information. Details of the charges have not been made clear in initial reports.

The Wall Street Journal reports that a former business litigator has become the Justice Department's lead official directing legal action against gender-affirming care for transgender people. The profile highlights how a career focused on commercial disputes placed him at the center of one of the most contested policy battles in the US, drawing attention to the department's strategy and the official's personal and professional background.

Federal prosecutors in Texas have charged a man with fraud, alleging he diverted stolen funds into an extravagant lifestyle that included hosting parties and purchasing a gold-plated Tesla Cybertruck, according to the Department of Justice. The unusual purchases have drawn attention as an example of how fraud proceeds are spent in striking ways.

Hong Kong is stepping up efforts to strengthen economic and professional links with Central Asia. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council, together with the city's Department of Justice, led the Collaborate2Win campaign across Xinjiang, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, promoting Hong Kong's financial, legal and professional services as it seeks new markets and partners in the region.