Justice Department sues Texas over state’s new abortion law
The Justice Department has sued Texas over a new state law that bans most abortions, arguing that it was enacted “in open defiance of the Constitution.”
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Fighting Texas abortion law could be tough for federal gov’t
Foes of the new Texas law that bans most abortions have been looking to the Democratic-run federal government to swoop in and knock down the most restrictive abortion law in effect in the country. But it’s nowhere near that simple.
Ex-NFL players plead guilty to health care fraud scheme
Former NFL players Clinton Portis, Tamarick Vanover and Robert McCune pleaded guilty for their roles in a nationwide health care fraud scheme and could face years in prison, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Tuesday.
Special event offers Hoosiers’ insider stories from the White House
Hoosiers who have formerly served in the White House will be dishing out stories and behind-the-scenes insights into what working in the executive branch is really like during a special brunch hosted by the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site.
Justice Department will ‘protect’ abortion seekers in Texas
The Justice Department said Monday that it will not tolerate violence against anyone who is trying to obtain an abortion in Texas as federal officials explore options to challenge a new state law that bans most abortions.
20 states including IN sue over Biden admin school, work LGBT protections
Attorneys general from 20 states including Indiana sued President Joe Biden’s administration Monday seeking to halt directives that extend federal sex discrimination protections to LGBTQ people, ranging from transgender girls participating in school sports to the use of school and workplace bathrooms that align with a person’s gender identity.
Senators question DOJ funding for AI-powered policing tech
A Democratic senator said the U.S. Justice Department needs to look into whether the algorithm-powered police technologies it funds contribute to racial bias in law enforcement and lead to wrongful arrests.
Indiana Northern District part of Chicago-area gun trafficking strike force
The Northern District of Indiana is set to participate in a cross-jurisdictional strike force created to curb gun violence and break up illegal firearms trafficking across the country.
Garland launches gun trafficking strike forces in 5 cities
Attorney General Merrick Garland will launch gun trafficking strike forces in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. The effort will include stepped-up enforcement in so-called supply areas — cities and states where it’s easier to obtain firearms that are later trafficked into other cities with more restrictive gun laws.
Federal executions halted; Garland orders protocols reviewed
The Justice Department is halting federal executions after a historic use of capital punishment by the Trump administration, which carried out 13 executions in six months.
Former doctor from Indiana gets 3 years for illegal opioid distribution
A former Tennessee doctor who pleaded guilty to unlawfully distributing opioids has been sentenced to three years in prison, the Justice Department said. Darrel R. Rinehart, 66, of Indianapolis, admitted to distributing controlled substances, primarily opioids, to four different patients without a legitimate medical purpose 18 times between December 2014 and December 2015.
Emails show Trump pressured Justice Dept. over 2020 election
During the last weeks of his presidency, Donald Trump and his allies pressured the Justice Department to investigate claims of widespread 2020 election fraud that even his former attorney general declared without evidence, newly released emails show.
Justice Department to tighten rules on seizing Congress data
The Justice Department will tighten its rules around obtaining records from members of Congress, Attorney General Merrick Garland said, amid revelations the department under former President Donald Trump had secretly seized records from Democrats and members of the media.
Justice Department will review GOP voting laws
The Justice Department will scrutinize a wave of new laws in Republican-controlled states that tighten voting rules, Attorney General Merrick Garland said Friday, vowing to take action on any violations of federal law.
DOJ offers states model for crafting ‘red flag’ legislation
In an effort to take control of the country’s gun violence problem, the U.S. Department of Justice has proposed a model for how states can craft “red flag” legislation to temporarily keep firearms out of the hands of people believed to be a danger to themselves or others.
Trump DOJ seized data from House Democrats in leaks probe
The Justice Department under former President Donald Trump seized data from the accounts of at least two members of the House Intelligence Committee in 2018 as part of an aggressive crackdown on leaks related to the Russia investigation and other national security matters, according to a committee official and two people familiar with the investigation.
US fights ruling to extend SSI benefits to Puerto Rico
The federal government filed a brief late Monday to the U.S. Supreme Court arguing Congress has the authority to withhold Supplemental Security Income benefits from U.S. citizens depending on where they live even as President Joe Biden promised to extend those benefits to Puerto Rico.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bell named Indiana Northern District Court clerk
Gary T. Bell will be tasked with legal and administrative duties such as managing the court’s budget, information technology, jury services and processing staff.
Ashley HomeStore settles employment-rights case with Indiana guardsman
Ashley HomeStore has agreed to pay an Indiana Army National guardsman $6,000 after he alleged he was fired from the store’s Greenwood location after returning from active duty.
Judge temporarily stays ruling against CDC eviction moratorium
A federal judge has temporarily stayed an order that found the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention exceeded its authority when it imposed a federal eviction moratorium to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.