Justice Department says law requiring president to turn over records at end of administration is unconstitutional - CBS News

The opinion from the Office of Legal Counsel said that because it believes the Presidential Records Act is unconstitution...

#uspol #departmentofjustice
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/justice-department-presidential-records-act-unconstitutional/

Lawyers alarmed by immigration judge's 'atrocious' questions for gay asylum seekers

https://fed.brid.gy/r/https://www.advocate.com/politics/national/bias-new-mexico-immigration-judge

yahoo news | After the release of the Epstein files, why have there been so few arrests?

After the Department of Justice released more than three million pages of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, prosecutors have not filed any new charges. The files contain accusations from alleged victims, thousands of emails, and photos showing Epstein’s contacts with prominent figures, but appearance in the records does not prove criminal wrongdoing. Justice Department officials say they have found no credible evidence that the network surrounding Epstein extends to further prosecutable offenses, and they will act only if solid, admissible proof emerges.

Legal experts explain that the high bar for criminal prosecution—proof “beyond a reasonable doubt”—makes it difficult to move from documents to charges. Even though the files include references to possible “co‑conspirators,” such labels are merely interim identifiers, not formal accusations. Prosecutors need rock‑solid evidence of intent, knowledge, and direct participation; without reliable witness testimony, corroborating forensic evidence, or a clear chain of command, a case is unlikely to survive a jury trial. Additional hurdles include the statute of limitations on certain offenses and the difficulty of establishing criminal conspiracy when many individuals only had peripheral contact with Epstein.

The lack of U.S. arrests contrasts with developments in the United Kingdom, where two former officials were detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office—charges unrelated to sexual abuse but tied to alleged corruption. In the United States, the Justice Department’s redacted releases and the piecemeal nature of the documents have hampered public understanding, fueling speculation about hidden evidence. Nonetheless, officials maintain that, absent compelling, unredacted proof, no further prosecutions will proceed, leaving the “Epstein files” largely a matter of public scrutiny rather than immediate legal action.

Read more: https://www.npr.org/2026/04/03/nx-s1-5766260/epstein-files-arrests-doj-prosecutors

#jeffreyepstein #departmentofjustice #unitedstates #prosecutors #legalexperts

Pam Bondi's loyalty to Trump wasn't enough to keep her job. Here's why
For more than a year, Pam Bondi violated the norms of independence expected from a U.S. attorney general and forced Department of Justice attorneys to do the bidding of President Donald Trump. Yet her loyalty and willingness to turn the department into a weapon of retribution for Trump weren't enough to satisfy the president.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/why-trump-fired-pam-bondi-attorney-general-9.7152508?cmp=rss

Trump’s Justice Department Dropped 23,000 Criminal Investigations in Shift to Immigration

Under Attorney General Pam Bondi, the DOJ abandoned a record number of cases—including hundreds of investigations into terrorism, white-collar crime and dru...

#uspol #departmentofjustice #immigration
https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-doj-immigration-bondi-declinations-criminal-investigations

Congress | Ousted AG Bondi could still be on the hook to testify in Epstein case by By Hailey Fuchs

Pam Bondi is out as attorney general, but she might still be in the hot seat with Congress.


House Oversight and Government Reform Chair James Comer issued a subpoena for Bondi’s testimony last month following a bipartisan vote to compel her deposition for the panel’s Jeffrey Epstein investigation. Immediately following her firing Thursday by President Donald Trump, members of the committee said they still wanted to hear from her, and Comer did not rule it out.


“Since Pam Bondi is no longer Attorney General, Chairman Comer will speak with Republican members and the Department of Justice about the status of the deposition subpoena and confer on next steps,” a committee spokesperson said in a statement.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/02/pam-bondi-doj-trump-epstein-00856625

#pambondi #houseoversight #jeffreyepstein #donaldtrump #departmentofjustice

US President Donald Trump removes Attorney General Pam Bondi after a tumultuous tenure and appoints ex-personal lawyer Todd Blanche as acting head of the Justice Department. https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/world/trump-fires-pam-bondi-appoints-todd-blanche-attorney-general-myrjdjw0?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon #PamBondi #ToddBlanche #DonaldTrump #DepartmentOfJustice

yahoo news | Epstein Files: ‘Cages’ mentioned in disturbing emails; what was Jeffrey planning...

**Epstein Files: ‘Cages’ Mentioned in Disturbing Emails; What Was Jeffrey Planning to Do?**
The Department of Justice’s release of newly unsealed documents has revealed a series of 2013 email exchanges in which Jeffrey Epstein’s associate Karyna Shuliak discussed the purchase of cages for birds and other exotic animals. Epstein was copied on the messages, which detailed pricing, availability, and the dimensions of cages that could fit large species, as well as where they might be installed on a property. While the conversation initially appears to concern pet‑related logistics, the tone shifts when the size and placement of the cages are debated, prompting speculation about a possible non‑pet purpose.

Although there is no concrete evidence that Epstein used these cages to detain people, the resurfaced emails have reignited scrutiny of his long‑standing abuse allegations. Victims have previously claimed they were locked in cages on Epstein’s private estates, and the notion of a “large structure” on his property has added to the concern. The renewed focus comes amid ongoing lawsuits and investigations that assert Epstein operated a widespread network of sexual exploitation from his Manhattan mansion, private Caribbean islands, and other locations.

The revelation of the cage‑related correspondence has fueled intense online debate and conspiracy‑theory chatter, with social‑media users circulating screenshots and demanding answers about the intended use of the cages. While the documents do not confirm that any cages were employed for human confinement, they underscore the disturbing breadth of Epstein’s purported activities and the need for further investigation into the full extent of his alleged crimes.

Read more: https://me.mashable.com/culture/69257/epstein-files-cages-mentioned-in-disturbing-emails-what-was-jeffrey-planning-to-do

#jeffreyepstein #departmentofjustice #karynashuliak #manhattanmansion #caribbeanislands

Epstein Files: ‘Cages’ mentioned in disturbing emails; what was Jeffrey planning to do?

DOJ released files spark disturbing questions about Epstein’s alleged interest in cages.

Mashable ME

yahoo news | Mandelson tried to get Epstein’s ‘goddaughter’ access to 10 Downing Street

British politician Peter Mandelson, then a senior Labour minister, used his position to help convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein organize a brief visit for a 15‑year‑old girl whom Epstein called his “goddaughter”. Email exchanges released by the U.S. Department of Justice show Epstein asking Mandelson to arrange a ten‑minute stop at Number 10 Downing Street and the House of Lords, and Mandelson replying that he would “fine on all” and would try his best to accommodate the request. The girl – later identified as Celina Dubin, daughter of hedge‑fund manager Glenn Dubin – was to be in London with her parents, and the correspondence reveals that Mandelson was willing to use his official influence even while Epstein was serving an 18‑month prison term for procuring a minor for prostitution.

The revelations have sparked a political crisis in the United Kingdom. After the first tranche of the “Epstein files” was published in September 2025, Mandelson stepped down as the UK’s ambassador to the United States. A second tranche in January 2026 alleged that he passed sensitive government information to Epstein on several occasions; the British government referred the matter to the police, leading to Mandelson’s brief arrest and ongoing investigations. The scandal has prompted calls for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s resignation, forced the withdrawal of two senior aides, and intensified scrutiny over the vetting process that allowed Mandelson’s appointment despite known ties to Epstein.

Further documents expose a broader pattern of Mandelson’s relationship with Epstein, including financial payments, personal messages, and requests for favors such as trips to Epstein’s Caribbean island. Emails from 2002‑2008 show Mandelson referring to Epstein as a “best pal”, seeking business advice, and even discussing providing “special unpaid adviser” support. The files also link other high‑profile figures—Prince Andrew, JPMorgan executive Jes Staley, and former U.S. Senator George Mitchell—to the network surrounding Epstein. As more WhatsApp messages are expected to be released, the UK government faces mounting pressure to fully disclose the extent of Mandelson’s contacts and to determine whether further resignations or prosecutions are warranted.

Read more: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/4/2/mandelson-tried-to-get-epsteins-goddaughter-access-to-10-downing-street

#petermandelson #labour #jeffreyepstein #departmentofjustice #number10downingstreet

Mandelson tried to get Epstein’s ‘goddaughter’ access to 10 Downing Street

The Epstein files indicate the 15-year-old girl would later meet then-Prince Andrew at Buckingham Palace.

Al Jazeera