Attorney General

Afternoon Briefs: Bill would allow law school to ax segregationist’s name; Cipollone said to be material witness

Florida legislation puts naming rights in universities’ hands Thanks to pending legislation, Florida State University College of Law may soon rename B.K. Roberts Hall, which recognizes a former state supreme court chief justice who supported school segregation. A state Senate panel approved the proposal Tuesday, which gives university boards of…

Jan 22, 2020 4:23 PM CST

NYC bar calls for investigation into AG Barr over conduct that threatens ‘impartial administration of justice’

In a rare move, the New York City Bar Association has asked Congress to investigate U.S. Attorney General William Barr for recent conduct that “threatens public confidence in the fair and impartial administration of justice.”

Jan 10, 2020 10:02 AM CST

It’s too late to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, DOJ says in legal opinion

The Equal Rights Amendment can’t become part of the U.S. Constitution because Congress’ deadline for ratification has expired, according to a legal opinion by the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel.

Jan 9, 2020 12:21 PM CST

Use of death penalty remains ‘near historic lows,’ while public support wanes

The federal effort to resume executions stands in stark contrast to a state trend away from capital punishment, according to a year-end report by the Death Penalty Information Center.

Dec 17, 2019 10:07 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Holder says Barr is unfit to be AG; law firm promotes nonbinary gender inclusiveness

Holder op-ed says AG Barr is unfit to be attorney general U.S. Attorney General William Barr has proved he is unfit to lead the Department of Justice, according to an op-ed by one of his predecessors in the Obama administration, Eric Holder Jr. Barr has been “running political interference for…

Dec 12, 2019 4:19 PM CST

Former FBI lawyer sues over disclosure of her texts criticizing Trump and discussing personal matters

Former FBI lawyer Lisa Page has sued the bureau and the U.S. Department of Justice for releasing her text messages with former FBI agent Peter Strzok, with whom she was having an affair.

Dec 11, 2019 12:04 PM CST

Probe of Russian influence wasn’t motivated by bias, IG report says, but it found ‘significant inaccuracies’

There was no evidence of political bias or improper motive in the FBI’s decision to open an investigation into possible coordination between members of President Donald Trump’s campaign and the Russian government, according to a report released Monday by the U.S. Department of Justice’s inspector general.

Dec 9, 2019 2:31 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: AG Barr said to disagree with IG; 350-plus lawyers who had abortions file SCOTUS brief

AG Barr reportedly disagrees with DOJ watchdog on justification for Russia probe U.S. Attorney General William Barr reportedly disagrees with a key conclusion in an upcoming report by the Department of Justice’s inspector general on the origins of the Russia investigation. Sources told the Washington Post that Barr thinks the…

Dec 3, 2019 4:40 PM CST

Afternoon Briefs: Subpoenas reportedly seek Giuliani-related information; 3 exonerated after 36 years in prison

Subpoenas reportedly seek information related to Giuliani and his consulting firm Federal prosecutors who are investigating two associates of lawyer Rudy Giuliani have issued subpoenas seeking documents relating to the lawyer and his consulting firm, Giuliani Partners, according to anonymous sources who spoke with multiple publications. The investigation also reportedly…

Nov 26, 2019 4:45 PM CST

Judge rules former White House counsel must testify in House probe, says ‘presidents are not kings’

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., ruled Monday that former White House counsel Don McGahn must appear before the House Judiciary Committee to testify in an investigation into how Russia influenced the 2016 presidential election and whether President Donald Trump tried to obstruct justice.

Nov 26, 2019 10:47 AM CST

Judge blocks 4 federal executions, rules DOJ protocol doesn’t follow law

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has halted the Department of Justice’s plans to resume executions after a 16-year hiatus. District Judge Tanya Chutkan issued a preliminary injunction Wednesday. She ruled on behalf of four federal death-row inmates.

Nov 21, 2019 12:15 PM CST

AG Barr accuses Democrats of war on Trump that’s intended to ‘incapacitate the executive branch’

The legislative and judicial branches of government are encroaching on President Donald Trump’s constitutional authority, U.S. Attorney General William Barr said Friday evening in a Federalist Society speech that took aim at Trump’s “resistance” opponents.

Nov 18, 2019 11:13 AM CST

Afternoon Briefs: AG Barr reportedly declined Trump request on Ukraine statement; Trump ordered to pay $2M

Barr reportedly refused to announce that Trump broke no laws in Ukraine matter Officials reportedly told Attorney General William Barr that President Donald Trump wanted him to hold a press conference to declare that the president broke no laws when he asked the Ukrainian president to investigate former Vice President…

Nov 7, 2019 4:48 PM CST

DC Circuit stays judge’s order requiring release of Mueller grand jury documents to Congress

A federal appeals court has stayed a judge’s order requiring the release of grand jury materials from the special counsel probe to Congress.

Oct 30, 2019 11:27 AM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Indiana AG defends his law license; Secret Service asked rapper Eminem about lyrics

Indiana AG testifies his touching at party wasn’t ‘lewd’ Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill testified last week in an ethics hearing that he is “a fun guy” who likely made physical contact with women at a bar in March 2018. But none of the touching was done “in a lewd…

Oct 28, 2019 4:28 PM CDT