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Leger Fernández and Torrez Announce Key Provisions in Epstein Transparency Act

Leger Fernández and Torrez Announce Key Provisions in Epstein Transparency Act

Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández and New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez have announced key transparency provisions included in the 'Epstein Files Transparency Act II'. The proposed amendments aim to strengthen the original act by ensuring state law enforcement has meaningful access to federal investigative records. The legislation seeks to prevent federal agencies from using procedural barriers to withhold information and clarifies that the act applies to ongoing investigations. The amendments are designed to ensure that victims of Jeffrey Epstein receive justice without unnecessary delays caused by federal non-compliance.

DOJ Memo Grants President Trump Authority to Shield Communications

DOJ Memo Grants President Trump Authority to Shield Communications

A new memo from the Department of Justice's Office of Legal Counsel grants President Donald Trump extensive authority to shield his communications with private advisers from Congress. The memo, signed by Attorney General T. Elliot Gaiser, asserts that executive privilege can apply to presidential communications with private advisers if they relate to official decision-making and remain confidential. This broad definition of 'private advisers' includes individuals outside the Executive Branch, such as state officials and members of the public. The memo's release comes amid ongoing scrutiny of President Trump's handling of classified documents and his previous attempts to exert executive privilege during investigations.

DOJ Memo on Executive Privilege Criticized as Shield for Trump Advisers

DOJ Memo on Executive Privilege Criticized as Shield for Trump Advisers

The Department of Justice, under newly confirmed Attorney General Todd Blanche, issued a memo on executive privilege that has been criticized for potentially shielding President Trump's advisers from accountability. The memo asserts that presidential communications with private advisers can be protected if they relate to official decision-making. Critics argue this move is designed to protect Trump and his inner circle from congressional investigations, particularly as Democrats may gain control of Congress and pursue further inquiries into Trump's activities.

DOJ Seeks to Expand Executive Privilege to Cover Trump's Private Advisers

DOJ Seeks to Expand Executive Privilege to Cover Trump's Private Advisers

The Department of Justice has issued a memo suggesting that executive privilege could extend to President Trump's private advisers, a significant expansion of the traditional scope of this protection. Historically, executive privilege has been limited to the president and immediate White House advisers. The memo argues that privilege can apply to communications related to official presidential decision-making, even if involving private citizens. This move is likely to face legal challenges, as it could redefine the boundaries of executive privilege established in past Supreme Court rulings.

Law firm Motley Rice's fee for Meta case in New Mexico could top $67 million

Law firm Motley Rice's fee for Meta case in New Mexico could top $67 million

By Mike Scarcella WASHINGTON, Aug 12 (Reuters) - Law firm Motley Rice stands to earn $67.1 million in legal fees from New Mexico for representing the state after a judge ruled Meta Platforms fostered social media addiction and other harms on its platforms, according to a Reuters analysis of a state

Trump promised a sex-trafficking crackdown. His Justice Department hasn't delivered

Trump promised a sex-trafficking crackdown. His Justice Department hasn't delivered

By Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff, Brad Heath and Kristina Cooke WASHINGTON, Aug 13 (Reuters) - The Trump administration has repeatedly said the fight against sex trafficking is one of its top priorities.

DOJ Memo Expands President Trump's Executive Privilege Over Communications

DOJ Memo Expands President Trump's Executive Privilege Over Communications

A new memo from the Department of Justice has granted President Donald Trump extensive authority to shield his communications with private advisers from Congress. The memo, issued by the DOJ's Office of Legal Counsel, asserts that executive privilege can cover presidential communications with private advisers if they pertain to official decision-making and remain confidential. This development follows previous attempts by Trump to exert executive privilege over White House visitor logs and during the January 6 proceedings. The memo, signed by Attorney General T. Elliot Gaiser, broadly defines 'private advisers' to include individuals outside the Executive Branch, potentially complicating future congressional investigations.

Justice Department Monitors Minnesota Primary Election for Compliance with Federal Voting Laws

Justice Department Monitors Minnesota Primary Election for Compliance with Federal Voting Laws

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is actively monitoring polling sites in Hennepin and Ramsey counties during Minnesota's primary election. This initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure transparency and compliance with federal voting laws across the United States. The DOJ's Civil Rights Division, in collaboration with the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Minnesota, has deployed approximately 20 staff members to oversee the election process. This monitoring aims to protect the voting rights of all eligible citizens and ensure nondiscriminatory practices at the polls.

Sanders and Cassidy Seek DOJ Update on Contempt Status of Former Steward Health CEO

Sanders and Cassidy Seek DOJ Update on Contempt Status of Former Steward Health CEO

Senators Bernie Sanders and Bill Cassidy have requested an update from the Department of Justice on the contempt status of Ralph de la Torre, former CEO of Steward Health Care. The request follows de la Torre's failure to comply with a subpoena from the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, which is investigating Steward Health Care's financial management. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2024, marking the largest for-profit hospital bankruptcy in U.S. history. The Senators are seeking accountability for de la Torre's alleged financial mismanagement and its impact on healthcare access.

Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández Highlights Wildfire and Water Issues in New Mexico

Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández Highlights Wildfire and Water Issues in New Mexico

Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, representing New Mexico's 3rd Congressional District, has been actively addressing regional issues through social media, focusing on wildfire response and water conservation. On August 9, she highlighted the Frijoles Fire's severity, urging the public to support firefighting efforts and avoid using drones that could interfere with operations. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of water conservation in Rock Springs, linking it to community sustainability and future generations. Her posts reflect ongoing concerns about environmental challenges in New Mexico and her commitment to addressing them.

Department of Justice Challenges State Laws on In-State Tuition for Illegal Aliens

Department of Justice Challenges State Laws on In-State Tuition for Illegal Aliens

The Department of Justice has filed lawsuits against New York, Connecticut, and Vermont, challenging state laws that provide in-state tuition and financial assistance to illegal aliens. The lawsuits argue that these laws discriminate against U.S. citizens by offering benefits to illegal aliens that are not available to citizens, thereby incentivizing illegal immigration. The Department seeks to enjoin the enforcement of these state laws, which it claims are in direct conflict with federal law. This action is part of a broader effort by the Department to challenge similar laws across the country, with lawsuits already filed in several other states.

House Oversight Program's Closure Raises Concerns Over Missing Historical Records

House Oversight Program's Closure Raises Concerns Over Missing Historical Records

The closure of the House Appropriations Committee's Surveys and Investigations (S&I) program in 2024 has led to concerns over missing historical records. The program, which operated for over 80 years, was responsible for investigating waste, fraud, and abuse in government programs. Its closure resulted in the disappearance of valuable records, prompting the American Governance Institute and over 250 organizations to request the transfer of these materials to the National Archives. The S&I program was known for its bipartisan approach and played a crucial role in oversight, particularly during periods of increased federal spending.