US Politics

At least six prosecutors, most of them supervisory attorneys in the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division’s criminal section, are leaving their positions, according to sources. The departures affect leadership in the unit that prosecutes federal criminal civil rights violations, including hate crimes and official misconduct. The Justice Department has not publicly commented on the resignations or outlined how it will address resulting staffing gaps or case management. The reasons for the exits and their potential impact on ongoing investigations remain unclear as the division continues its enforcement work.

The BBC is asking a Florida court to dismiss a $10 billion defamation lawsuit filed by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Court filings show the British public broadcaster argues the Florida court lacks jurisdiction over a UK-based media entity. The case centers on BBC coverage that Trump claims damaged his reputation and seeks substantial damages. The court will review whether it has authority over the BBC before addressing any underlying defamation issues.

Former U.S. Representative Mary Peltola, a Democrat who served as Alaska’s at-large House member from 2022 to 2025, has launched a campaign for the U.S. Senate. Her entry adds a high-profile candidate with prior federal experience to Alaska’s next Senate race under the state’s ranked choice voting system.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said the U.S. Department of Justice served subpoenas on the central bank over building renovation matters ahead of his June 2025 Senate Banking Committee testimony. The subpoenas, according to Powell, warned of a possible criminal indictment tied to issues expected to arise during the hearing. He did not identify specific projects, individuals, or statutes under review. The Justice Department has not publicly detailed the investigation, and no charges have been announced. Lawmakers plan to question Powell on monetary policy, internal operations, and oversight of renovation contracts at Fed facilities.

Representative Ilhan Omar, speaking on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” urged caution in public reaction to a Minneapolis shooting, saying it is “not acceptable” to make early judgments or label a mother of three as a “domestic terrorist” before the investigation is complete. The case has prompted debate among officials, legal analysts, and community groups over due process, media language, and how quickly the public should form conclusions while law enforcement continues its inquiry.