#doj
16 entries with this tag
Lead Prosecutor in Comey Seashells Case Steps Aside — A Former Republican Committeeman With No Federal Criminal Experience
Matthew Petracca, the lead federal prosecutor in the case against James Comey over an Instagram photo of seashells, has stepped aside. Petracca was a former Republican county committeeman and family lawyer from New Jersey whose prior federal experience was prosecuting Medicaid fraud. He was the last man standing after more experienced prosecutors left the case. Even Pam Bondi — before Trump fired her — thought the seashells case was too weak and pushed for Virginia charges instead. Then Blanche took over and rammed it through.
Trump's DOJ Opens Criminal Investigation Into E. Jean Carroll — The Woman a Jury Found He Sexually Assaulted
The DOJ launched a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll — the woman two juries found Trump liable for sexually assaulting and defaming, awarding her $88.3 million total. The perjury theory: Carroll said in a 2022 deposition that no one else was funding her lawsuit, but LinkedIn billionaire Reid Hoffman later helped cover some legal costs through a nonprofit. An appeals court already reviewed this and found Carroll "plausibly represented" she had "forgotten about the limited outside funding counsel obtained." Trump's DOJ is now criminally investigating his own sexual assault victim over a deposition answer an appeals court already dismissed.
Judge Throws Out Charges Against Abrego Garcia: DOJ Prosecution Was "Vindictive" Retaliation for Challenging His Wrongful Deportation
A federal judge dismissed human smuggling charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, ruling the prosecution was vindictive retaliation for his legal fight to return from wrongful deportation. The charges stemmed from a 2022 traffic stop that was closed without action — then reopened by Deputy AG Todd Blanche immediately after the Supreme Court ordered his return. The judge quoted Robert Jackson's warning about "picking the person first and the crime second." The DOJ called him "an activist judge."
Trump Calls Reporting "Virtual TREASON" After Intelligence Shows Iran Retained 70% of Its Missiles
U.S. intelligence assessments revealed Iran retained ~75% of its mobile launchers and ~70% of its missile stockpiles despite weeks of bombing — and restored access to 30 of 33 Hormuz missile sites. Trump called the reporting "virtual TREASON" and accused journalists of "aiding the enemy." The DOJ had already subpoenaed Wall Street Journal reporters for their Iran war coverage.
DOJ Whistleblower Reveals Prosecutors Were Ordered to Rush a "Legally Deficient" SPLC Indictment — Zero Convictions Across the Entire Retribution Agenda
A DOJ whistleblower revealed that senior leadership ordered prosecutors to fast-track a "legally deficient" indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center despite their objections. This is the latest in Trump's retribution campaign — Comey, Letitia James, Bolton, the SPLC, law firms, former intel chiefs, sitting senators — and not a single target has been convicted.
DOJ Indicts Comey Over a Photo of Seashells — After First Indictment Was Thrown Out
Trump's DOJ indicted former FBI Director James Comey for a second time — now over an Instagram photo of seashells spelling "86 47" on a beach. The first indictment (false statements to Congress) was thrown out after a judge ruled the prosecutor was unlawfully appointed. The charges: threatening the president — via a shell arrangement. Comey's lawyer will argue vindictive prosecution.
DOJ Drops the Powell Probe It Never Had Evidence For — Clearing the Way to Replace Him
Jeanine Pirro's DOJ dropped the criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell — the one a judge said had "essentially zero evidence" and existed solely to pressure Powell to resign or lower rates. The quiet part: Sen. Tillis was blocking Kevin Warsh's confirmation as Powell's replacement until the probe was dropped. Now it's dropped. Now Warsh can proceed.
DOJ Readopts Firing Squads, Electrocution, and Gas for Federal Executions
Acting AG Todd Blanche instructed the Bureau of Prisons to add firing squads, electrocution, and nitrogen gas asphyxiation to the federal execution protocol. Also reinstated pentobarbital lethal injections that Biden removed over concerns of unnecessary suffering. The federal government has never previously used firing squads.
FBI Investigated NYT Reporter Who Wrote About Kash Patel's Girlfriend Getting an FBI SWAT Escort
FBI Director Kash Patel's bureau opened an investigation into New York Times reporter Elizabeth Williamson — who wrote about Patel giving his country singer girlfriend FBI security and transport — to determine if she broke federal stalking laws. FBI agents interviewed the girlfriend, searched databases for information on the reporter. DOJ officials killed the probe, finding no legal basis and calling it retaliation.
Bondi's Official DOJ Portrait Found in a Trash Can — Hours After Being Fired
Within hours of Bondi's firing, a photo showed her official DOJ portrait in a trash bin. Career officials quietly celebrated. The karma: Bondi had personally ripped Biden and Garland's portraits off DOJ walls on her first day. DOJ called the photo "Fake News."
Trump Fires Attorney General Pam Bondi — Second Cabinet Secretary Ousted
Trump fired AG Pam Bondi after the birthright citizenship humiliation at SCOTUS, Epstein files mishandling, failed prosecutions of Letitia James (3 grand jury refusals), and accidentally releasing damning evidence against Trump. Second Cabinet secretary fired after Noem.
DOJ Admits ICE Courthouse Arrests Based on "Erroneous" Legal Authority
The DOJ admitted it wrongly used an ICE memo to justify arresting hundreds of immigrants at immigration courthouses. The memo only applied to criminal courts, not immigration courts. The DOJ blamed ICE. DHS said arrests would continue anyway.
DOJ Pays Flynn $1.2M of Taxpayer Money for "Malicious Prosecution" — He Pleaded Guilty. Twice.
Trump's DOJ settled Michael Flynn's lawsuit for $1.2M, calling his prosecution a "historic injustice." Flynn pleaded guilty twice to lying to the FBI about Russian contacts. The Biden DOJ had asked a judge to dismiss Flynn's complaint. Trump's DOJ reversed course and paid him.
DOJ Admits "We Don't Know" What Crime Powell Committed — Judge Finds "Zero Evidence"
A DOJ prosecutor admitted in a sealed hearing they had no evidence of wrongdoing by Fed Chair Powell. The judge found "essentially zero evidence" of a crime and ruled the investigation's sole purpose was to pressure Powell to lower interest rates or resign.
Judge Throws Federal Prosecutor Out of Courtroom, Orders DOJ to Testify About Habba
A federal judge ejected a DOJ prosecutor from his courtroom after he tried to "blindside the court," then told the office: "Generations of AUSAs built the goodwill of that office for your generation to destroy it within a year."
Bondi's DOJ Withheld Epstein Files Containing Allegations About Trump and a 13-Year-Old
NPR found the DOJ removed and withheld Epstein files specifically containing allegations that Trump sexually abused a 13-year-old. Only the files mentioning Trump were excluded. The DOJ claimed they were "duplicates."