All posts tagged: Department

US judge blocks Justice Department bid to seize voter data in Rhode Island | Donald Trump News

US judge blocks Justice Department bid to seize voter data in Rhode Island | Donald Trump News

Published by Sam Flores

Ruling is latest loss for Trump administration, which has sought access to state voter data ahead of the US midterms. Published On 17 Apr 202617 Apr 2026 A federal judge in the United States has dismissed a Department of Justice lawsuit seeking to access voter data from Rhode Island. The decision on Friday was the latest loss for the administration of President Donald Trump, which has sought to access voter data in dozens of states across the country. Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of list In the ruling, US District Court Judge Mary McElroy sided with election officials and civil rights groups, writing that the Justice Department does not have the authority “to conduct the kind of fishing expedition it seeks here”. Rhode Island Secretary of State Gregg Amore praised the ruling in a statement afterwards. “The executive branch seems to have no problem taking actions that are clear Constitutional overreaches, regularly meddling in responsibilities that are the rights of the states,” Amore wrote. “But the power of our democratic republic, built on three, …

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons is leaving the Department of Homeland Security

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons is leaving the Department of Homeland Security

Published by Sam Flores

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, who oversaw the agency during tumultuous immigration crackdowns, is leaving his post next month, the head of the Department of Homeland Security said Thursday. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content. “Thanks to his leadership, American communities are safer,” Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement. “We wish him luck on his next opportunity in the private sector.” Lyons’ last day will be May 31, Mullin said. He did not say why Lyons is leaving. Lyons has been the acting head during ICE’s controversial mass immigration crackdowns that targeted Democratic-run cities during the Trump administration. The crackdowns generated outrage and furious protests in the cities where they were conducted, and federal agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis this year. President Donald Trump appointed Lyons acting director in March 2025, succeeding Caleb Vitello, who was reassigned. He appointed Mullin, a U.S. senator from Oklahoma and political ally, last month after he fired Kristi Noem. The Senate confirmed Mullin …

Starmer dismisses top official Robbins as Mandelson vetting crisis deepens – POLITICO

Starmer dismisses top official Robbins as Mandelson vetting crisis deepens – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

“All we want is the truth,” MP Rachael Maskell told POLITICO. “Now a different account of Mr. Mandelson’s security clearance has been brought to light we need accountability as to why we were provided a different version of events.” A highly loyal MP, granted anonymity to discuss internal party matters, said Thursday night: “This is bad, very, very bad. There are so many factors, I don’t know if it will be the end, but it definitely could be.” Robbins’ rocky path The departure of Robbins is the latest twist in a Whitehall career that has seen the senior official — once marked out as a future head of the country’s civil service — take repeated political flak. Robbins served as chief Brexit negotiator during the doomed premiership of Theresa May. As talks with Brussels appeared to be steering the U.K. into a compromise deal, he found himself pilloried as they bogeyman of hardline Tory MPs and newspapers, earning the moniker “the PM’s Rasputin” in one Times article.   When May was finally ousted in 2019, to be replaced by …

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche praises Trump’s involvement in Justice Department

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche praises Trump’s involvement in Justice Department

Published by Sam Flores

IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Vance says pope should ‘be careful’ when talking about theology 01:22 Vance defends Trump on Epstein files saying there was ‘no evidence of misconduct’ 01:07 New Swalwell accuser speaks out after he resigns from Congress 02:18 Kornacki: New Jersey Democrats look to build on ‘clear’ trend of overperforming in special elections 04:14 Pelosi would have ‘decimated’ Swalwell if she knew of sexual misconduct allegations: House Democrat 21:40 Blanche calls release of Epstein victims’ names ‘horrible’ 01:54 Now Playing Blanche praises Trump’s involvement in Justice Department 02:35 UP NEXT Sen. Gallego: Swalwell ‘lied to all of us’ and friendship ‘clouded my judgment’ 02:09 Two Congressmen Resign in 1 Day Amid Sex Scandals 02:42 Trump Faces Bipartisan Backlash Over Feud With Pope Leo 02:26 US Blockade of Strait of Hormuz Begins Amid New Push for Talks 02:11 Rep. Gonzales says he will ‘retire’ tomorrow after sexual misconduct accusations 03:37 Trump facing backlash for posting AI-generated image depicting him as Jesus Christ 02:07 …

Former von der Leyen aide’s new role reflects EU competition policy shift – POLITICO

Former von der Leyen aide’s new role reflects EU competition policy shift – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

Speaking with POLITICO, Whelan denied that his role was to build a bridge between von der Leyen and the competition department. “I don’t think the president and the EVP are in need of bridges,” he said. Ribera — who as the top socialist in the Commission is a foil to Christian Democrat von der Leyen — also framed the department’s future mandate through a philosophical lens, calling for enforcement grounded in fairness and protecting the vulnerable.  “In these uncertain times, our responsibility is more important than ever: to enforce rules firmly, to remain free from any distorting pressures, to act with integrity,” Ribera wrote. European Commission Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just and Competitive Transition Teresa Ribera arriving at the European Pulse Forum in Barcelona on April 10. | David Zorrakino/Europa Press via Getty Images Bridge builder or not, competition bubble insiders say Whelan has the bureaucratic and political chops to both manage that relationship and execute on the new competition agenda. “Highly intelligent, politically savvy, pragmatic, open-minded, and a strong believer in vigorous enforcement,” is …

US Justice Department opens probe into NFL over anticompetitive practices | American Football News

US Justice Department opens probe into NFL over anticompetitive practices | American Football News

Published by Sam Flores

The US Justice Department is investigating the NFL amid concerns about broadcast sales to streamers. By Reuters and The Associated Press Published On 9 Apr 20269 Apr 2026 The United States Department of Justice ⁠has opened an ⁠investigation into whether the National Football League (NFL) has engaged in anticompetitive tactics that harm consumers, according to a source familiar with the matter. Major broadcast ⁠station owners, US regulators and senators have raised concerns in the past over the difficulties consumers face in watching sports games and the growing trend of selling broadcast rights ⁠to streamers. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list The nature and full scope of the investigation could not be immediately ascertained. However, the NFL said in a statement on Thursday that more than 87 percent of its games are aired on free broadcast TV and that all games are aired on free broadcast television ‌in markets of participating teams. The Justice Department did not immediately respond to Reuters’ requests for comment. The Wall Street Journal first reported the news, while The …

Euroskeptic think tanks on the rise as Brussels slashes funding for pro-EU groups – POLITICO

Euroskeptic think tanks on the rise as Brussels slashes funding for pro-EU groups – POLITICO

Published by Sam Flores

“There was little concern from the European Commission or affiliated organizations and think tanks when progressive NGOs in Europe received substantial support from the United States (including via USAID and other programs),” he said. “Only now, when funding may reach their political opponents, is it being framed as ‘foreign interference.’” Broader cuts Zuleeg, the EPC chief, said the non-renewal of the CERV money, which amounts to around €250,000 per year, would mean the organization cuts back on work related to topics such as democracy and citizens’ participation. And while he made a distinction between think tanks, which organize events or commission research, and NGOs, which do the same but tend to advocate for a specific cause, Zuleeg said that the CERV grant cut “does also reflect in part, the controversy around funding going to advocacy organizations.” Flags from the 27 countries of the EU in front of the European Parliament in Brussels in April 2025. | Thierry Monasse/Getty Images That’s a reference to increased scrutiny from the same right-wing groups, as well as conservative politicians, …

Why did Trump fire Pam Bondi from Justice Department, who is Todd Blanche? | Donald Trump News

Why did Trump fire Pam Bondi from Justice Department, who is Todd Blanche? | Donald Trump News

Published by Sam Flores

US President Donald Trump has announced that he is removing Attorney General Pam Bondi from her post as head of the Justice Department. The president posted on Truth Social that Bondi would be “transitioning” to a new role in the private sector. Recommended Stories list of 1 itemend of list It is less than a month since Trump fired Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Here is what we know: What happened to Pam Bondi? Trump ousted Bondi as attorney general, ending a tumultuous 14-month tenure at the Justice Department. Trump described Bondi as a “loyal friend.” He named Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who previously served as Trump’s criminal defence lawyer, as acting attorney general. Trump is also reportedly considering Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin as a potential permanent replacement. In a statement, Bondi said her transition would take place over the next month and added that she remained “eternally grateful for the trust that President Trump placed in me to Make America Safe Again.” The announcement came less than two months after a …

Activist Mahmoud Khalil Wants Ex-Justice Department Official off Panel of Judges Weighing His Appeal

Activist Mahmoud Khalil Wants Ex-Justice Department Official off Panel of Judges Weighing His Appeal

Published by Sam Flores

NEW YORK (AP) — Lawyers for Mahmoud Khalil, the former Columbia University graduate student fighting deportation, have asked Judge Emil Bove to step aside from an appellate panel that could weigh in on his case because of Bove’s previous role as a top Justice Department official involved in investigating student protesters. Khalil’s lawyers this week asked that the full complement of judges on the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals — minus Bove — review and reverse a January ruling by a panel of three 3rd Circuit judges that put the Trump administration one step closer to detaining and ultimately deporting the pro-Palestinian activist. As the Justice Department’s Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General, Bove “directed immigration enforcement investigations and decisions against student protesters on college campuses,” including at Columbia, Khalil’s lawyers wrote. Bove’s immigration enforcement work “demonstrates the existence, or at least the appearance of, a conflict of interest” that should disqualify him from having a say in Khalil’s appeal, they said. Bove has been a judge on the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals …