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DOJ Investigates CUNY's Black Male Initiative for Alleged Racial Discrimination

DOJ Investigates CUNY's Black Male Initiative for Alleged Racial Discrimination

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating the City University of New York's (CUNY) Black Male Initiative for alleged racial discrimination. The program, which offers support to men from underrepresented backgrounds, is accused of providing educational benefits based on race, particularly to Black males. The initiative includes academic and social support such as peer mentoring. The DOJ's Civil Rights Division, led by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, stated that race should not influence the distribution of educational resources. The investigation is part of a broader DOJ effort to scrutinize diversity, equity, and inclusion practices at universities.

EEOC's New Enforcement Plan Shifts Focus to Overt Discrimination

EEOC's New Enforcement Plan Shifts Focus to Overt Discrimination

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has unveiled a new National Enforcement Plan (NEP), marking a shift in its approach to discrimination enforcement. The plan, announced on June 4, emphasizes a focus on overt discrimination, particularly in job advertisements and recruiting practices that explicitly reference protected characteristics. The EEOC will also target diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that involve race- or sex-based quotas. This shift aligns the agency more closely with the policy objectives of the Trump administration, moving away from the Biden-era focus on systemic discrimination and disparate-impact theories.

Cleveland Clinic Agrees to Halt Gender-Affirming Care for Minors in DOJ Settlement

Cleveland Clinic Agrees to Halt Gender-Affirming Care for Minors in DOJ Settlement

Cleveland Clinic has reached an agreement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) to cease providing certain gender-affirming care to minors. This decision is part of a settlement that includes a $308,000 payment to resolve allegations of false billing and a commitment of $2 million to support detransition services. The agreement, confirmed by the Cleveland Clinic, involves a long-term commitment not to perform or offer puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to minors. This move aligns with similar actions taken by other healthcare institutions under pressure from the Trump administration, which has been actively investigating and regulating pediatric care providers offering gender-affirming services. The Cleveland Clinic has stated its compliance with federal and state laws and emphasized its focus on providing exceptional care.

Baltimore Federal Court Reviews DOJ Request for Transgender Minors' Medical Records

Baltimore Federal Court Reviews DOJ Request for Transgender Minors' Medical Records

A federal court in Baltimore is currently reviewing a case involving the Department of Justice's request for medical records of transgender minors. This legal action is part of a broader DOJ initiative to access medical information, which has raised privacy concerns among advocates and families. The case highlights the tension between federal oversight and individual privacy rights, particularly in sensitive areas such as healthcare for transgender youth. The court's decision will be pivotal in determining the extent of federal authority in accessing personal medical records.

Minnesota Officials Referred to DOJ for Investigation Over Fraud Allegations

Minnesota Officials Referred to DOJ for Investigation Over Fraud Allegations

Vice President JD Vance has referred Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison to the Department of Justice for investigation following a House Oversight Committee report on benefit fraud in the state. The report alleges that senior Minnesota officials were aware of widespread fraud in federally funded social services programs but failed to act. The investigation is part of a broader effort by the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, which Vance leads. The allegations include potential misconduct in handling federal funds and intimidating whistleblowers.

Westchester County Faces Lawsuit Over License Plate Surveillance Program

Westchester County Faces Lawsuit Over License Plate Surveillance Program

A coalition of civil rights groups has filed a class action lawsuit against Westchester County, New York, challenging the use of nearly 600 license plate readers. The lawsuit claims that the program, which has collected 1.6 billion plate scans, constitutes an 'indiscriminate surveillance system' that violates the state constitution. The data collected has been shared with over 50 law enforcement agencies, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The plaintiffs argue that the program lacks proper authorization and infringes on the privacy of millions of motorists by tracking their travel patterns and daily habits. The lawsuit is part of a broader legal effort to address the implications of surveillance technologies.

Department of Justice Challenges State Climate Superfund Laws, Impacting State Authority

Department of Justice Challenges State Climate Superfund Laws, Impacting State Authority

In 2025, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed lawsuits against New York and Vermont over their 'climate superfund' laws, which require fossil fuel companies to pay for climate damages. The DOJ argues these state laws are preempted by federal law and violate constitutional limits on state power. Additionally, the DOJ moved to block Hawaii and Michigan from pursuing their own climate-related cases against fossil fuel companies, reinforcing the claim that such actions fall under federal jurisdiction. Despite these federal challenges, states like California and Colorado continue to pursue litigation against major oil companies for climate-related damages. This legal landscape is part of a broader jurisdictional struggle over who governs climate action in the U.S., with states playing a significant role in implementing federal climate policies through funding mechanisms like the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

King Spalding Expands NY Business Litigation with DOJ Hire

King Spalding Expands NY Business Litigation with DOJ Hire

King Spalding Expands NY Business Litigation with DOJ Hire

University of California Faculty Push for SAT Reinstatement Amid Math Proficiency Concerns

University of California Faculty Push for SAT Reinstatement Amid Math Proficiency Concerns

Faculty members at the University of California (UC) are advocating for the reinstatement of standardized testing requirements, such as the SAT, for students pursuing STEM degrees. This push comes after reports revealed significant gaps in mathematical proficiency among incoming students, with some struggling with middle-school level math. The UC system had previously eliminated standardized tests during the pandemic to promote equity, but faculty argue that the absence of these tests has contributed to a decline in academic preparedness. Over 1,400 professors and lecturers have co-signed a letter supporting the reinstatement of testing requirements.

DOJ Debunks Social Media Claims of Vote Discrepancy in Los Angeles Mayoral Race Amid Trump Allegations

DOJ Debunks Social Media Claims of Vote Discrepancy in Los Angeles Mayoral Race Amid Trump Allegations

The Department of Justice has refuted claims circulating on social media regarding a supposed discrepancy in the vote count for the Los Angeles mayoral race. The claims suggested that Republican candidate Spencer Pratt received zero votes in a particular update, which was later clarified as a delay in the automated vote count update. The Associated Press explained that Pratt's votes were included in a subsequent update, showing he received 21,870 votes. This clarification comes as President Trump has been vocal about alleged election fraud, drawing parallels to his unsubstantiated claims about the 2020 presidential election. The Los Angeles mayoral race, featuring candidates such as incumbent Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, is still ongoing with votes being counted.

Sacramento State President Supports Foster Youth Success Program

Sacramento State President Supports Foster Youth Success Program

A recent letter to the editor highlights the success of the Guardian Scholars Program at Sacramento State University, which supports former foster youth in their pursuit of higher education and career success. The program, which has been backed by scholarships and mentoring from community members, aims to improve the low odds of college and job success faced by foster youth. Sacramento State President Luke Wood, who was once a foster child himself, has been instrumental in providing visibility and support for the program both on and off campus. The letter, written by Margot Shinnamon Bach from Sacramento, expresses gratitude for the coverage of this initiative and emphasizes the importance of supporting foster youth who manage to reach college.

States Challenge Federal Authority in Climate Justice Funding

States Challenge Federal Authority in Climate Justice Funding

In the ongoing debate over climate action in the United States, states are increasingly asserting their authority to lead climate justice funding initiatives. The Department of Justice has filed lawsuits against states like New York and Vermont over their 'climate superfund' laws, which require fossil fuel companies to pay for climate damages. These state laws are being challenged on the grounds that they are preempted by federal law. Despite this, states such as California and Colorado continue to pursue litigation against major oil companies, seeking compensation for climate-related damages. This jurisdictional struggle highlights the tension between federal and state powers in addressing climate change.