In recent days, the offices of various Attorneys General have been at the forefront of several significant legal and administrative developments.
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi, who took office on February 5, 2025, has swiftly implemented a series of policy changes within the Department of Justice (DOJ). One of the key areas of focus is the enforcement of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). Bondi has directed DOJ employees to prioritize investigations related to foreign bribery that facilitate the operations of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), shifting away from cases that do not involve such connections. This new approach also grants more autonomy to local U.S. Attorney Offices, allowing them to initiate and charge FCPA cases associated with cartels and TCOs without needing authorization from the FCPA Unit in Washington, D.C.[2][5].
In addition to FCPA enforcement, Bondi's memos outline a broader focus on immigration enforcement, human trafficking, transnational organized crime, and protecting law enforcement personnel. These policy changes reflect a significant shift in the DOJ's enforcement priorities under her leadership[5].
At the state level, several Attorneys General have joined forces in multiple high-profile lawsuits. Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, along with 21 other Attorneys General, has filed a lawsuit challenging a decision to cut funding for health research at universities and research institutions. This funding, provided through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is crucial for supporting research in various states, and the lawsuit aims to block the Trump Administration's defunding efforts[1].
Another significant lawsuit involves Attorney General Anne Lopez of Hawaii and 13 other Attorneys General, who are challenging the delegation of executive power to Elon Musk. The lawsuit argues that President Trump's decision to grant Musk sweeping powers over the federal government, without Senate confirmation, violates the Appointments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. This action by Musk has led to concerns about the disruption of federal agencies, access to sensitive data, and the potential for widespread disruption to state and local governments, as well as federal employees and the public. The lawsuit seeks a court ruling declaring Musk's actions unconstitutional and an injunction to bar him from issuing orders outside of his designated role[4].
Furthermore, Attorney General Kris Mayes has also been part of a multi-state lawsuit challenging an executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented immigrants. A federal judge has sided with the Attorneys General, ruling that the government cannot enforce this order for now, marking a significant victory for the constitutional rights of families[1].
These actions underscore the active role that Attorneys General are playing in shaping legal and policy landscapes, both at the federal and state levels, and highlight their commitment to upholding constitutional principles and protecting public interests.
