101 - The Attorney General

Written by: Quiet. Please
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  • Summary

  • This is your What does the US Attorney General do, a 101 podcast.

    Discover compelling stories and insightful biographies with "Attorney General Living Biography," the podcast that delves into the lives and careers of attorneys general from around the world. Updated regularly, each episode offers an in-depth exploration of their legal journeys, significant cases, and influential contributions to justice. Engage with the fascinating world of law and governance through personal anecdotes and expert interviews, making this podcast a must-listen for anyone interested in the legal landscape. Tune in to stay informed and inspired by the evolving stories of these pivotal legal figures.

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Political Science Politics & Government
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Episodes
  • Attorneys General Flex Their Influence: Shaping Legal Enforcement, Challenging Executive Actions, and Protecting Citizens' Rights

    Attorneys General Flex Their Influence: Shaping Legal Enforcement, Challenging Executive Actions, and Protecting Citizens' Rights
    Feb 18 2025
    In recent days, the role of the Attorney General has been at the forefront of several significant developments, highlighting the office's critical influence on legal and political landscapes.

    On February 9, 2025, Vice President Vance sparked controversy with comments on judicial review, prompting a strong response from a coalition of state attorneys general. Vice President Vance suggested that judges should not interfere with the executive branch's legitimate power, comparing it to a judge telling a general how to conduct a military operation or commanding the attorney general on prosecutorial discretion. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with 17 other state attorneys general, issued a joint statement vehemently rejecting these remarks. They emphasized that judges are essential in preventing the unlawful and unconstitutional exercise of executive power, a principle rooted in the concept of checks and balances and the landmark case of Marbury v. Madison. The attorneys general also highlighted their ongoing efforts to challenge unconstitutional executive orders through the courts, underscoring their commitment to defending the rule of law and protecting American democracy[1].

    Meanwhile, on February 5, 2025, newly sworn-in U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi began her tenure by issuing a series of memoranda that outlined significant changes in the Department of Justice's (DOJ) enforcement priorities and procedures. Attorney General Bondi directed the DOJ to focus on investigations related to foreign bribery that facilitate the operations of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), shifting away from cases without such connections. This new approach grants local U.S. Attorney Offices greater autonomy to initiate and charge Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) cases associated with cartels and TCOs, reducing the need for central authorization from the Fraud Section in Washington, D.C.[2][5].

    In another notable development, New York Attorney General Letitia James led a multistate coalition in filing a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The lawsuit aims to stop the unauthorized disclosure of Americans' private information and sensitive data, which the administration allegedly provided to Elon Musk and the so-called "Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)." The lawsuit contends that this new policy, implemented on February 2, 2025, violates federal law by granting access to the Treasury Department's central payment system to unauthorized individuals, including Musk and DOGE members. This access could potentially allow them to freeze federal funds critical for various services such as healthcare, childcare, and other essential programs. Attorney General James and the coalition are seeking an injunction to halt this policy and a declaration that it is unlawful and unconstitutional[4].

    These recent actions and statements underscore the active and pivotal role that attorneys general are playing in shaping legal enforcement, challenging executive actions, and protecting the rights and privacy of American citizens.
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    3 mins
  • Attorneys General Spearhead Sweeping Policy Changes to Tackle Pressing Issues

    Attorneys General Spearhead Sweeping Policy Changes to Tackle Pressing Issues
    Feb 13 2025
    In recent days, there have been significant developments involving the Attorneys General at both the state and federal levels, particularly highlighting the proactive stances and policy changes implemented by these top law enforcement officials.

    At the state level, New York State Attorney General Letitia James has been actively engaged in several high-profile cases. On February 10, 2025, Attorney General James secured over $6.9 million in refunds from CityMD for New Yorkers who were wrongfully charged for COVID-19 testing. This move underscores her commitment to protecting consumers from unfair practices[1].

    In addition to this, Attorney General James has been involved in various other significant actions. She led a multistate coalition in suing to stop Elon Musk and DOGE’s alleged attacks on Americans, and she also filed motions to halt the Trump Administration’s funding freeze, which was deemed reckless and illegal. Her office has also released reports on several investigations into deaths, including those of Christopher Ferguson, Sabeeh Alalkawi, Caesar Robinson, and Ervin Zacarias Antonio Agustin[1].

    On the federal front, Pamela Bondi, the newly sworn-in United States Attorney General, has made headlines with her immediate and sweeping policy changes. On her first day in office, February 5, 2025, Attorney General Bondi issued 14 memoranda to DOJ employees, outlining new priorities and procedures. One of the key changes involves the enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), where the focus will now be on investigations related to foreign bribery that facilitates the operations of cartels and transnational criminal organizations. This shift allows local U.S. Attorney Offices to initiate and charge such cases without needing authorization from the Fraud Section of the DOJ’s Criminal Division in Washington, D.C.[2][4].

    Attorney General Bondi’s new policies also emphasize immigration enforcement, human trafficking, transnational organized crime, and protecting law enforcement personnel. These changes reflect a broader strategy to tackle complex and interconnected criminal activities more effectively[4].

    Furthermore, Bondi’s approach to FCPA enforcement includes relaxing internal procedures, giving more autonomy to local U.S. Attorney Offices to handle cases associated with cartels and transnational criminal organizations. This move is expected to streamline the process and enhance the DOJ’s ability to combat these serious crimes[2][4].

    These recent actions by both state and federal Attorneys General highlight their proactive roles in addressing a wide range of critical issues, from consumer protection and civil rights to combating transnational crime and ensuring the integrity of federal laws.
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    3 mins
  • "Sweeping DOJ Reforms Prioritize Combating Cartels and Transnational Crime"

    "Sweeping DOJ Reforms Prioritize Combating Cartels and Transnational Crime"
    Feb 11 2025
    On February 5, 2025, Pamela Bondi, the newly sworn-in Attorney General under President Trump, initiated a significant overhaul of the Department of Justice's (DOJ) enforcement priorities and procedures. Her first day in office was marked by the issuance of multiple memoranda that outlined substantial changes in various areas of DOJ operations.

    One of the key directives is the new focus on combating cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs). Under the memorandum titled “Total Elimination of Cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations,” Bondi instructed DOJ employees to prioritize investigations related to foreign bribery that facilitates the criminal operations of these groups. This means shifting focus away from FCPA (Foreign Corrupt Practices Act) and FEPA (Foreign Extortion Prevention Act) investigations that do not involve such connections. For instance, bribery of foreign officials to facilitate human smuggling, narcotics trafficking, and firearms trafficking will now be given higher priority[1][2][4].

    To streamline these efforts, Bondi relaxed internal procedures, allowing local U.S. Attorney Offices greater autonomy to initiate and charge FCPA cases associated with cartels and TCOs. Previously, these cases required authorization and conduct by the Fraud Section of the DOJ’s Criminal Division in Washington, D.C. Now, local offices need only provide 24 hours’ notice to Main Justice before seeking charges[1][2][4].

    Another significant change involves the elimination of several specialized task forces and initiatives. The KleptoCapture Task Force and the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative (KARI) have been disbanded. These moves are part of a broader strategy to redirect resources towards combating cartels, human trafficking, and other transnational crimes. Joint Task Force Vulcan will be reconstituted to target cartels and TCOs, while Joint Task Force Alpha will be elevated to focus on human trafficking investigations in Central and South America[2][5].

    The new policies also impact enforcement under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA). Bondi’s directives limit the use of criminal charges under FARA to instances of traditional espionage by foreign government actors. The National Security Division’s FARA Unit will now focus on civil enforcement, regulatory initiatives, and public guidance, marking a significant shift from the more aggressive FARA enforcement seen in recent years[4][5].

    Additionally, the Department of Justice will intensify its efforts against immigration enforcement, human trafficking, and protecting law enforcement personnel. The Money Laundering and Asset Forfeiture Section (MLARS) will prioritize investigations and asset forfeiture actions targeting the activities of cartels and TCOs[5].

    These changes reflect a broader alignment with President Trump’s January 20, 2025, Executive Order, which designated certain cartels and organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and Specially Designated Global Terrorists. The new policies underscore the administration’s commitment to addressing what it sees as historic threats from illegal immigration, cartels, gangs, human trafficking, and drug smuggling[2][5].

    Overall, Attorney General Bondi’s swift and comprehensive reforms signal a significant reorientation of DOJ’s enforcement priorities, emphasizing the fight against transnational crime and cartel activities.
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    4 mins

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