After a federal judge dismissed the initial charges, a grand jury declined to indict New York Attorney General Letitia James in a mortgage fraud case for the second time. The Justice Department, however, may seek indictment a third time, indicating the intensity of their efforts. The charges stemmed from accusations of false statements and bank fraud, but were initially thrown out due to the unlawful appointment of the prosecutor. The defense argued the appointment of Trump’s handpicked prosecutor was invalid, and the case has been met with claims of selective and vindictive prosecution.
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The Justice Department revealed that then-Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, made the final decision to disregard a federal judge’s order to halt the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members. This decision allowed the removal of individuals, subject to the Alien Enemies Act, who had already been deported to El Salvador despite the court’s injunction. The Justice Department maintained that the administration’s actions were lawful. The disclosure comes as the court seeks to understand why its orders were not followed and is considering contempt proceedings against administration officials.
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Recent departures from the Justice Department have illuminated a troubling picture of the agency under the Trump administration, according to former employees. Farewell letters describe a department grappling with compromised ethics, undue pressure, and a toxic atmosphere, with some warning of lasting damage. These departures include those who refused to drop cases for political reasons, whistleblowers, and those who were terminated without explanation. Many attributed their departure to prioritizing loyalty to the president over ethical obligations.
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A federal judge ruled to dismiss the criminal charges against James Comey and Letitia James, determining that the interim U.S. attorney who secured their indictments, Lindsey Halligan, was unlawfully appointed. The judge found Halligan’s appointment violated federal law and the Constitution’s Appointments Clause, concluding her service as interim U.S. attorney was invalid since September 22nd. Comey and James’ attorneys had argued Halligan’s appointment was flawed, which the judge agreed with. The Justice Department is expected to appeal the decisions.
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The Justice Department has requested a court to unseal grand jury transcripts related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell following the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. The act mandates the release of all unclassified Epstein-related records within 30 days. The Department’s motion, signed by key officials, seeks to lift protective orders to comply with the Act while redacting sensitive information. This effort follows a previous denial by a New York judge and the ongoing investigations into Epstein’s sex trafficking crimes.
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Following a subpoena from the committee in July, Ghislaine Maxwell has indicated through her lawyers that she will invoke her Fifth Amendment rights and refuse to answer questions. Committee Chairman Comer stated that this decision makes a costly in-person appearance by the committee an unwise use of taxpayer resources. Maxwell had previously expressed a willingness to cooperate under specific conditions, including immunity, which were rejected. Before the committee’s subpoena, Maxwell spoke to the Justice Department, stating she had never seen Donald Trump at Epstein’s house.
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The article details the dismantling of the Department of Justice by the president, as reported by The New York Times, citing accounts from former career DOJ attorneys. The administration’s actions began with pardons for January 6 rioters, leading to resignations and a diminished Public Integrity Section, reducing its capacity to prosecute cases. The fate of the Epstein files now rests with this compromised DOJ, sparking concerns over their handling, particularly from Democratic senators. Despite the bill demanding release, skepticism abounds regarding the DOJ’s commitment to transparency, given the president’s influence and past actions.
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The Justice Department admitted in court that the grand jury was not presented with the final indictment against former FBI Director James Comey, potentially weakening the prosecution. This admission follows concerns regarding the case’s presentation, including the absence of a record of the grand jury reviewing the indictment. Furthermore, only the foreperson and a second grand juror were present for the indictment’s return. Comey, who has pleaded not guilty to charges of making a false statement and obstructing Congress, was fired by then-President Trump in 2017 amid an investigation.
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The Justice Department recently replaced pardons posted online after it was discovered that they contained identical copies of President Donald Trump’s signature, sparking scrutiny and questions. The agency attributed the error to a “technical error” and staffing issues, however, the original versions raised concerns due to their identical signatures. Despite the controversy, legal experts maintain that the use of an autopen or an electronic signature does not affect the validity of a pardon as long as the president’s intent is clear. This incident comes amid ongoing scrutiny of Trump’s clemency decisions, especially those benefitting political allies and individuals claiming victimization.
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A federal judge has criticized the Justice Department for “disturbing investigative missteps” in the case against former FBI Director James Comey, ordering prosecutors to provide all grand jury materials to defense lawyers. Judge William Fitzpatrick cited “fundamental misstatements of the law,” the use of potentially privileged communications, and unexplained irregularities in grand jury transcripts as reasons for concern. These issues raise questions about the integrity of the proceedings, prompting the judge’s unusually strong stance. The ruling comes amid other challenges to the indictment, including concerns over the appointment of the prosecutor, Lindsey Halligan.
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John Q. Hosedrinker