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US Department of Justice

The latest news and top stories on the US Department of Justice. A prominent Washington DC based federal executive department, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is dedicated to upholding the rule of law, keeping the United States safe and protecting civil rights. Its main areas of focus include enforcing federal laws, administering justice, investigating and prosecuting federal crimes, and overseeing key law enforcement agencies such as the FBI. Established in 1870, the DOJ is recognised as the world's largest law office, playing a crucial role in shaping the US legal landscape and combating threats including terrorism and financial crime.

The US Supreme Court ruled in February that Donald Trump could not use emergency powers to impose broad tariffs, reaffirming that such authority rests with Congress. Photo: AdobeStock

US-China trade war

Trump’s tariff powers tested again as court questions ‘deficit’ justification

Court weighs Section 122 tariffs as plaintiffs warn of shifting tactics and judges probe limits of ‘balance of payments’ claims.

11 Apr 2026 - 5:45AMvideocam

United States

‘Never been friends’: Melania Trump criticises Epstein ‘lies’ in address

10 Apr 2026 - 1:16PMvideocam

United States

Bondi won’t appear before US lawmakers over Epstein files: Justice Department

9 Apr 2026 - 5:39AM

Gun violence in the US

Video sheds light on Minnesota ICE shooting after charges against men collapsed

Authorities initially accused 2 Venezuelan men of beating an ICE officer during a chase and scuffle in Minneapolis in January.

7 Apr 2026 - 5:53AMvideocam

Police officers stand amid tear gas at the scene of a reported shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota on January 14. Photo: AP

United States

Trump fires Pam Bondi as US president’s frustration with bad news grows

Attorney general’s removal follows the ouster of Trump’s homeland security and border patrol chiefs amid a wave of negative headlines.

3 Apr 2026 - 3:40PM

US-China relations

‘Lack of moral character’: pair who stole secrets for China loses US citizenship

Case reflects the Trump administration’s stated goal of ‘maximally pursuing’ denaturalisation wherever legally possible.

1 Apr 2026 - 8:25PMvideocam

Donald Trump

Trump fumes as judge halts his White House ballroom project

The US$400 million ballroom is part of the US president’s broader push to reshape Washington’s core.

1 Apr 2026 - 7:36AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump holds up renderings of the planned White House ballroom while travelling on Air Force One on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

United States

Bank of America to pay US$72.5 million to settle Epstein victim lawsuit

The suit claims the bank’s executives ‘ignored red flags’ about Epstein’s sex-trafficking venture to provide him with financial services.

28 Mar 2026 - 11:33AM

US, Israel war on Iran

Pro-Iran hackers say they breached FBI chief Patel’s email account

Photos and other personal documents, many appearing over a decade old, were released by the group Handala.

28 Mar 2026 - 1:09AMvideocam

Hong Kong courts

Charge dropped against ex-Apple Daily executive who turned prosecution witness

Former chief financial officer Royston Chow secured immunity from prosecution in exchange for his testimony against Jimmy Lai in fraud case.

27 Mar 2026 - 5:12PM

Next Digital’s chief financial officer Royston Chow outside the District Court on Friday. Photo: Jonathan Wong

US-China relations

Chinese nationals, firms charged in US with smuggling AI chips, drug trafficking

Two different cases refer to smuggling of American-made advanced AI chips to China through Thailand and an alleged fentanyl supply chain.

27 Mar 2026 - 3:08AMvideocam

A Chinese national in the US has been charged with allegedly smuggling American-made advanced AI chips to China through Thailand. Photo: AFP

United States

DOJ settles with ex-Trump adviser for US$1.2 million over ‘historic injustice’

Michael Flynn, who was pardoned by Donald Trump in 2020, asserted that the case against him amounted to a malicious prosecution.

26 Mar 2026 - 10:15AM

Donald Trump

Records in Trump documents case raise concerns over business conflict, lawmaker says

Raskin alleges Trump kept documents ‘pertinent to his business interests’, but DOJ and White House dismiss claims.

26 Mar 2026 - 11:53AM

United States

Supreme Court justices lean towards Trump in asylum-processing case

The White House is defending US authority to turn away asylum seekers when officials judge the border to be too overburdened.

25 Mar 2026 - 4:24AM

A small group led by members of the clergy gather for a vigil at the US Supreme Court building in Washington on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

United States

Minnesota sues for access to evidence in killings of Good and Pretti

Lawsuit alleges US federal authorities blocked state investigators from key evidence and information.

25 Mar 2026 - 9:27AM

Posters of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both US citizens fatally shot by immigration agents. Photo: TNS

France

France raids bank in probe of diplomat over Epstein links

Investigations follow revelations published in the Epstein files by the US Justice Department.

25 Mar 2026 - 9:51AM

United States

US judge blocks Trump administration from detaining thousands of refugees

Boston federal judge blocks policy affecting potentially 100,000 refugees.

24 Mar 2026 - 11:54AM

Obituaries

US ex-special counsel Robert Mueller dies. Trump: ‘I’m glad he’s dead’

Mueller had 34 people indicted, including Trump associates, but ultimately stopped short of a criminal indictment of the US president.

22 Mar 2026 - 3:15PMvideocam

Former special counsel Robert Mueller arrives for a House Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in July 2019. Photo: AP

United States

US government sues Harvard over anti-Israel protests, ‘hostile environment’

The Trump administration is seeking to be released from its obligation to pay millions of dollars in federal funds to the university.

21 Mar 2026 - 1:27PMvideocam

Jeffrey Epstein

Norway crown princess says she was ‘manipulated’ by Epstein

Recent polls show most Norwegians oppose the idea of Mette-Marit ever becoming queen.

20 Mar 2026 - 10:16PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

FBI ‘investigating’ top US security official who resigned over Iran war

The probe into Joe Kent apparently predates his sudden departure as head of the National Counterterrorism Centre.

19 Mar 2026 - 12:45PMvideocam

Joe Kent, who has quit as director of the National Counterterrorism Centre. Photo: AP

Crime

US House panel subpoenas Pam Bondi in Epstein probe

US attorney general faces accusations that the Justice Department has concealed the names of Epstein associates in its release of documents.

18 Mar 2026 - 3:52AMvideocam

US Attorney General Pam Bondi at the White House in Washingto on Monday. Photo: EPA

United States

Trump administration urges judge to revisit ruling blocking Powell subpoenas

A federal judge had ruled on Friday that a DOJ investigation into Powell was intended to pressure the Fed chairman to lower interest ‌rates.

17 Mar 2026 - 3:13AM

Hong Kong

My Take | Mandelson scandal could be the tipping point that costs Starmer his job

Episode has cost China not only a British politician prepared to work for better ties but also potentially a prime minister willing to do business with it.

14 Mar 2026 - 10:16PM

United States

Judge quashes subpoenas of Fed chair, says probe was ‘politically motivated’

A ‘mountain of evidence’ suggests the subpoenas were to pressure Jerome Powell to obey Trump’s demands to cut interest rates, the judge says.

14 Mar 2026 - 4:17AMvideocam

US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a press conference in Washington in January. Photo: Reuters

Britain

UK’s ex-prince Andrew and Peter Mandelson pictured in bathrobes with Epstein

This is thought to be the first photo unearthed of the two men with the late US sex trafficker.

14 Mar 2026 - 5:45AM

An undated image shows Jeffrey Epstein (centre) sitting with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson. Photo: US Department of Justice via AP

Britain

UK PM Starmer was warned of ‘reputational risk’ in appointing Mandelson

The concerns were raised in a document sent to Starmer in December 2024 before he appointed Mandelson as US ambassdor.

11 Mar 2026 - 10:50PMvideocam

United States

US investigators search Epstein ranch amid allegations of buried bodies

The late financier is also accused of sexually abusing women and girls at the property near Santa Fe, which he visited for 26 years.

10 Mar 2026 - 7:40PMvideocam

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US Department of Justice

Trump’s tariff powers tested again as court questions ‘deficit’ justification

Court weighs Section 122 tariffs as plaintiffs warn of shifting tactics and judges probe limits of ‘balance of payments’ claims.

‘Never been friends’: Melania Trump criticises Epstein ‘lies’ in address

Bondi won’t appear before US lawmakers over Epstein files: Justice Department

Video sheds light on Minnesota ICE shooting after charges against men collapsed

Authorities initially accused 2 Venezuelan men of beating an ICE officer during a chase and scuffle in Minneapolis in January.

Trump fires Pam Bondi as US president’s frustration with bad news grows

Attorney general’s removal follows the ouster of Trump’s homeland security and border patrol chiefs amid a wave of negative headlines.

‘Lack of moral character’: pair who stole secrets for China loses US citizenship

Case reflects the Trump administration’s stated goal of ‘maximally pursuing’ denaturalisation wherever legally possible.

Trump fumes as judge halts his White House ballroom project

The US$400 million ballroom is part of the US president’s broader push to reshape Washington’s core.

Bank of America to pay US$72.5 million to settle Epstein victim lawsuit

The suit claims the bank’s executives ‘ignored red flags’ about Epstein’s sex-trafficking venture to provide him with financial services.

Pro-Iran hackers say they breached FBI chief Patel’s email account

Photos and other personal documents, many appearing over a decade old, were released by the group Handala.

Charge dropped against ex-Apple Daily executive who turned prosecution witness

Former chief financial officer Royston Chow secured immunity from prosecution in exchange for his testimony against Jimmy Lai in fraud case.

Chinese nationals, firms charged in US with smuggling AI chips, drug trafficking

Two different cases refer to smuggling of American-made advanced AI chips to China through Thailand and an alleged fentanyl supply chain.

DOJ settles with ex-Trump adviser for US$1.2 million over ‘historic injustice’

Michael Flynn, who was pardoned by Donald Trump in 2020, asserted that the case against him amounted to a malicious prosecution.

Records in Trump documents case raise concerns over business conflict, lawmaker says

Raskin alleges Trump kept documents ‘pertinent to his business interests’, but DOJ and White House dismiss claims.

Supreme Court justices lean towards Trump in asylum-processing case

The White House is defending US authority to turn away asylum seekers when officials judge the border to be too overburdened.

Minnesota sues for access to evidence in killings of Good and Pretti

Lawsuit alleges US federal authorities blocked state investigators from key evidence and information.

France raids bank in probe of diplomat over Epstein links

Investigations follow revelations published in the Epstein files by the US Justice Department.

US judge blocks Trump administration from detaining thousands of refugees

Boston federal judge blocks policy affecting potentially 100,000 refugees.

US ex-special counsel Robert Mueller dies. Trump: ‘I’m glad he’s dead’

Mueller had 34 people indicted, including Trump associates, but ultimately stopped short of a criminal indictment of the US president.

US government sues Harvard over anti-Israel protests, ‘hostile environment’

The Trump administration is seeking to be released from its obligation to pay millions of dollars in federal funds to the university.

Norway crown princess says she was ‘manipulated’ by Epstein

Recent polls show most Norwegians oppose the idea of Mette-Marit ever becoming queen.

FBI ‘investigating’ top US security official who resigned over Iran war

The probe into Joe Kent apparently predates his sudden departure as head of the National Counterterrorism Centre.

US House panel subpoenas Pam Bondi in Epstein probe

US attorney general faces accusations that the Justice Department has concealed the names of Epstein associates in its release of documents.

Trump administration urges judge to revisit ruling blocking Powell subpoenas

A federal judge had ruled on Friday that a DOJ investigation into Powell was intended to pressure the Fed chairman to lower interest ‌rates.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}My Take | Mandelson scandal could be the tipping point that costs Starmer his job

Episode has cost China not only a British politician prepared to work for better ties but also potentially a prime minister willing to do business with it.

Judge quashes subpoenas of Fed chair, says probe was ‘politically motivated’

A ‘mountain of evidence’ suggests the subpoenas were to pressure Jerome Powell to obey Trump’s demands to cut interest rates, the judge says.

UK’s ex-prince Andrew and Peter Mandelson pictured in bathrobes with Epstein

This is thought to be the first photo unearthed of the two men with the late US sex trafficker.

UK PM Starmer was warned of ‘reputational risk’ in appointing Mandelson

The concerns were raised in a document sent to Starmer in December 2024 before he appointed Mandelson as US ambassdor.

US investigators search Epstein ranch amid allegations of buried bodies

The late financier is also accused of sexually abusing women and girls at the property near Santa Fe, which he visited for 26 years.

My Take | Mandelson scandal could be the tipping point that costs Starmer his job