Justice Department (DOJ)

DOJ officials reported scrambling after Joe Biden’s end-of-term clemency grants were announced, as records showed that many commutations bypassed normal vetting and review. The process led to criticism regarding procedural gaps, including questions about separate sentences for a career offender and the handling of Hunter Biden's pardon. Furthermore, U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland questioned multiple North Dakota commutations because neither sentencing judges nor victims had been consulted.

Justice Department officials scrambled after former President Joe Biden's clemency grants were announced, as internal emails showed that many commutations bypassed the agency’s normal vetting procedures. The process faced criticism regarding a lack of proper review and consultation with sentencing judges, prosecutors, or victims in several instances. Officials also had to work through errors concerning Hunter Biden’s pardon details.

President Trump is urging the Justice Department (DOJ) to reconsider dropping criminal charges against individuals accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. He continues to assert that vandalism was responsible for the damage, specifically calling on U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro to re-visit her decision.

Republican Sen. John Kennedy expressed doubt about the Senate confirming acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to the full-time role. Kennedy, a member of the Judiciary Committee, noted GOP Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis are discussing a resolution with the Justice Department.

Workers began removing President Trump’s name from the Kennedy Center after a court-ordered deadline, with the Justice Department requesting a 12-hour extension due to safety concerns. The removal started early Saturday morning, hours past the original Friday deadline.

The Trump administration has abandoned a $1.77 billion 'anti-weaponization' fund intended to compensate individuals claiming wrongful prosecution by the Justice Department. This decision may enable the Senate to advance a $70 billion immigration and deportation funding package. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed the DOJ will not proceed with the fund, aligning with Senate Majority Leader John Thune's statements.

Maryland Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller dismissed President Donald Trump's allegations of corruption over a mail-in ballot error, stating such mistakes occur in most elections. Trump accused Democratic Gov. Wes Moore of orchestrating the error to benefit Democrats, but Miller attributed the issue to a vendor's mistake. The Maryland State Board of Elections acknowledged the error and plans to send replacement ballots.

The U.S. Justice Department charged two Chinese nationals, Huang Xingshan and Jiang Wen Jie, for allegedly leading a cryptocurrency scam center in Burma that targeted Americans using forced labor and violence. The DOJ, under Trump's administration, has seized over $700 million in stolen cryptocurrency and shut down 500 scam websites.

Voting rights activists sued the Trump administration over its request for state voter lists, alleging it aims to subvert November’s midterm elections. The Justice Department is seeking election data in response to President Trump’s calls to 'nationalize' the process.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche was encouraged by White House officials to pitch for the full-time AG role after Pam Bondi's dismissal. Trump appointed Blanche as acting AG temporarily, with speculation about his nomination ahead of midterms. Sources suggest Blanche may remain in an acting capacity to avoid confirmation battles.