DOJ

Organization
Last Verified: Jan 18, 2026
  • Enforces federal laws and ensures the fair administration of justice for all citizens.
  • Manages major law enforcement agencies including the FBI, DEA, and U.S. Marshals Service.
  • Represents the United States government in legal matters and provides executive legal counsel.

On January 12, 2026, the department initiated a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell to examine potential financial irregularities.

This inquiry precedes public criticism from Donald Trump. Federal authorities also charged dozens of individuals in a college basketball game-rigging scheme on January 16, 2026, following a multi-year undercover operation.

The investigation involves multiple states. The department faces scrutiny following the FBI seizure of devices from Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson on January 15, 2026.

The seizure has been criticized by press freedom advocates. This action occurred amid broader investigations into unauthorized disclosures of sensitive government information that may impact national security protocols.

Legal experts monitor these developments. A department official recently declined a civil rights probe into a Minneapolis ICE shooting that occurred during a federal enforcement operation.

Local activists criticized the decision. A federal judge subsequently limited ICE agent actions against Minnesota protesters on January 17, 2026, citing concerns over constitutional rights.

The ruling restricts crowd-control measures. The Department of Justice functions as the primary federal law enforcement arm of the United States government and enforces federal law.

It prosecutes federal crimes. The department maintains jurisdiction over several sub-agencies:

  • Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • Drug Enforcement Administration
  • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
  • U.S. Marshals Service

Established on July 1, 1870, the organization operates from the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building in Washington, D.C.

The Attorney General leads it. The department manages the federal prison system through the Bureau of Prisons and provides legal advice to the executive branch.

Its decisions shape federal statutes. Long-term policy goals include the reduction of violent crime and the protection of national security through coordinated federal and state efforts.

It influences civil rights policy. The department also oversees the litigation of environmental protection cases and handles antitrust enforcement.

Sources: news reports

The Numbers

At a Glance

Leader
U.S. Attorney General
HQ Location
Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building
Year Founded
1870
Member Count/Scale
Approximately 115,000 employees
Focus Area
Federal law enforcement and justice administration
Annual Budget
$37.5 billion (FY 2024)

Data via Wikidata

In the News

Current Context

  • The topic opened a criminal probe into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on January 12,...
  • FBI agents seized electronic devices from Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson on January 15 as...
  • Federal prosecutors charged dozens of individuals on January 16 for their roles in a multi-state...

The Department of Justice currently manages several high-profile criminal investigations involving federal leadership and national sports integrity. These actions occur amidst public criticism from Donald Trump regarding the department's scrutiny of financial regulators. The investigation has drawn political criticism.

On January 12, 2026, the topic initiated a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. This probe examines specific conduct within the central bank. It remains active.

Following the announcement of the Powell investigation, Donald Trump issued public criticisms of the Chair on January 14, 2026. The department has not commented on the specific nature of the allegations. Silence persists.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation executed a search warrant on January 15, 2026, seizing electronic devices from Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson. This seizure follows a series of investigative reports. Legal experts monitor the case.

Federal authorities unsealed indictments on January 16, 2026, charging dozens of individuals in a college basketball game-rigging scheme. The investigation uncovered several illegal activities:

  • Bribery of student-athletes
  • Point-shaving during conference play
  • Illegal gambling syndicates
  • Wire fraud involving athletic departments

A department official declined a civil rights probe on January 14, 2026, regarding a shooting in Minneapolis involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This decision followed a review of available evidence. Local activists protested.

On January 17, 2026, a federal judge issued an order limiting the actions of agents against protesters in Minnesota. The ruling establishes specific boundaries for federal law enforcement. It mandates restraint.

Established on July 1, 1870, the topic operates from the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building. It oversees several key components:

  • The Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • The Drug Enforcement Administration
  • The U.S. Marshals Service
  • The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

The current funding environment supports expanded white-collar crime task forces and civil rights monitoring. Budgetary allocations prioritize technological modernization and cybersecurity. Resources remain stable.

Sources: Associated Press, Reuters, The Washington Post, Department of Justice Public Records.

Updated: Jan 18, 2026

Why It Matters

Impact & Significance

  • 94 U.S. Attorney offices
  • 115,000 employees approximately
  • $35 billion annual budget

The Department of Justice initiated a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on January 12, 2026. The criminal investigation into the Federal Reserve Chair represents a rare instance of the executive branch pursuing legal action against the leadership of the nation's central bank. Donald Trump criticized Powell following the announcement of the probe.

Federal authorities charged dozens of individuals in a college basketball game-rigging scheme on January 16, 2026. The investigation targets corruption. Prosecutors allege that participants used encrypted messaging applications to coordinate point-shaving activities and distribute illegal payments to players.

The FBI seized electronic devices from Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson on January 15, 2026. This seizure follows a series of department actions involving the collection of data from members of the press during leak investigations. The Washington Post protested.

A department official declined to open a civil rights probe into a Minneapolis shooting involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on January 14, 2026. The shooting occurred recently. A federal judge later limited ICE agent actions against Minnesota protesters following the incident.

The topic maintains oversight of federal law enforcement agencies to ensure adherence to constitutional standards and statutory mandates. It manages diverse legal priorities. The department oversees:

  • The Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • The Drug Enforcement Administration
  • The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
  • The U.S. Marshals Service

The topic enforces antitrust laws to prevent monopolies and ensure competitive markets within the domestic economy. These actions influence global trade. Litigation often targets large corporations that allegedly engage in anti-competitive behavior to the detriment of consumers.

The Civil Rights Division enforces federal statutes prohibiting discrimination based on race, sex, disability, religion, and familial status. It monitors police departments. Consent decrees serve as a primary tool for institutional reform in local law enforcement agencies across the country.

The topic coordinates national security efforts to counter domestic and foreign terrorism through the National Security Division. It handles espionage cases. The division was established following the USA PATRIOT Act to centralize counterterrorism legal operations within the executive branch.

The topic influences environmental policy by litigating cases related to the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act. It protects public lands. These legal actions force industrial entities to comply with federal standards regarding pollution and the protection of natural resources.

The United Nations and the Financial Action Task Force recognize the topic for its leadership in developing international anti-money laundering standards. Global partnerships remain vital. The department collaborates with foreign ministries to extradite fugitives and share evidence in complex cross-border criminal investigations.

Ulysses S. Grant signed the legislation establishing the topic on July 1, 1870, to centralize federal legal functions. It operates from Washington, D.C. The Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building houses the central operations of the organization.

The Attorney General leads the organization. This official serves as the chief law enforcement officer of the United States government. The topic manages the federal prison system through the Federal Bureau of Prisons to ensure the safe and humane confinement of offenders.

Sources: news reports

Career

Business History

  • 94 U.S. Attorneys' offices
  • 115,000 total employees
  • 50+ international locations

The Department of Justice initiated a criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on January 12, 2026. The investigation remains active. This action prompted public criticism from Donald Trump on January 14, 2026.

On January 15, 2026, the Federal Bureau of Investigation seized electronic devices from Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson. The cases remain separate. This enforcement action occurred alongside a January 16, 2026, announcement regarding charges against dozens of individuals in a college basketball game-rigging scheme.

Field operations involve the execution of federal warrants and the management of litigation across various judicial districts. Local officials requested review. A January 14, 2026, decision by a topic official declined a civil rights probe into a Minneapolis Immigration and Customs Enforcement shooting.

The topic executes its mandate through several specialized components:

  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
  • Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
  • Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
  • United States Marshals Service
  • Federal Bureau of Prisons

The organization maintains its headquarters at the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building in Washington, D.C. The reach extends nationally. It oversees 94 U.S. Attorneys who serve as the primary federal prosecutors within their respective judicial districts.

The topic employs approximately 115,000 personnel to manage its legal and investigative responsibilities. Staffing levels fluctuate annually. These employees operate in every U.S. state and maintain a presence in over 50 countries through international legal attachés.

The United States Congress allocates the topic's budget through the annual appropriations process for the executive branch. Oversight remains mandatory. The Attorney General leads the organization as the chief law enforcement officer and reports directly to the President of the United States.

Governance structures include:

  • Office of the Deputy Attorney General
  • Office of the Solicitor General
  • Office of the Inspector General
  • Professional Responsibility Advisory Office

The topic manages the Federal Bureau of Prisons, which oversees the custody of approximately 150,000 inmates. Litigation occurs constantly. It also directs the Civil Rights Division to enforce federal statutes prohibiting discrimination in voting, education, and employment.

The United States Marshals Service provides security for federal courts and manages the witness protection program. Security remains paramount. This component also executes federal warrants and handles the transport of prisoners between jurisdictions.

The Antitrust Division enforces laws designed to promote competition and prevent monopolistic practices in the marketplace. Competition receives protection. It reviews mergers and acquisitions to ensure they do not harm consumer interests or violate the Sherman Act.

The National Security Division coordinates the topic's efforts to combat terrorism and espionage. Security remains the priority. This division works with the intelligence community to manage foreign intelligence surveillance and prosecute threats to the state.

Sources: news reports

Background

Origins

  • Established by the Act to Establish the Department of Justice on **June 22, 1870**.
  • Created to centralize federal legal representation and reduce reliance on expensive private counsel.
  • Initial primary mission involved the enforcement of civil rights during the Reconstruction era.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) currently manages high-profile federal investigations involving national financial and media institutions. Recent actions include a January 12, 2026, criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell and the January 15, 2026, seizure of devices from Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson. These developments occur alongside a January 16, 2026, indictment of dozens of individuals involved in a college basketball game-rigging scheme.

Legal authority for the topic originated from the need to centralize federal legal services during the post-Civil War Reconstruction era. Prior to its formation, the United States Attorney General operated as a part-time official without a dedicated executive department. Private attorneys often handled federal litigation at significant public expense.

Congress sought to eliminate this decentralized system to ensure uniform application of federal law across the states. The Act to Establish the Department of Justice addressed these inefficiencies by consolidating legal functions under one cabinet-level office. This transition professionalized the federal government's approach to litigation.

President Ulysses S. Grant signed the founding legislation on June 22, 1870, with the organization officially beginning operations on July 1, 1870. Amos T. Akerman served as the first Attorney General to lead the newly formed department. He focused the early mission on enforcing the Reconstruction Amendments and protecting the rights of formerly enslaved citizens.

Initial mandates required the topic to prosecute violations of federal law and represent the United States in the Supreme Court. The creation of the Solicitor General position allowed for specialized appellate advocacy. This structure remains the foundation of the department's current legal hierarchy.

Early operations focused heavily on the suppression of the Ku Klux Klan in the Southern United States. Federal prosecutors and marshals worked to dismantle insurgent groups through the Enforcement Acts. This campaign marked the first large-scale application of federal police power to protect civil rights.

Sources: news reports, Department of Justice historical records, Library of Congress.

Perspectives

Perspectives

Beneficiaries
The topic maintains the integrity of national sports and financial markets through the prosecution of fraudulent activities. It ensures fairness. On **January 16, 2026**, federal authorities charged dozens of individuals in a college basketball game-rigging scheme.
— Sources: news reports
Watchdogs
Civil liberties organizations monitor the topic's use of investigative tools against members of the press to ensure constitutional compliance. They demand transparency. The **FBI** seized electronic devices from **Washington Post** reporter **Hannah Natanson** on **January 15, 2026**.
— Sources: news reports
Governments
Judicial bodies and local governments define the operational limits of federal agents within their jurisdictions to prevent executive overreach. Legal boundaries shift. A federal judge limited **ICE** agent actions against **Minnesota** protesters on **January 17, 2026**.
— Sources: news reports

Connections

Related Entities

Federal Bureau of InvestigationSubordinate agency and primary investigative armJerome PowellSubject of current criminal investigationDonald TrumpPresident of the United States and department overseerU.S. Immigration and Customs EnforcementPartner agency in federal law enforcement operationsHannah NatansonWashington Post reporter subject to device seizureU.S. Marshals ServiceSubordinate agency responsible for judicial securityDrug Enforcement AdministrationSubordinate agency for controlled substance lawsBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesSubordinate agency for firearms and explosives enforcement

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Sources

Sources & Citations

Confidence Score: 92%
  1. [1] DOJ Opens Criminal Investigation Into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell ()
  2. [2] Donald Trump Criticizes Jerome Powell Following DOJ Investigation ()
  3. [3] FBI Seizes Devices From Washington Post Reporter Hannah Natanson ()
  4. [4] DOJ Official Declines Civil Rights Probe Into Minneapolis ICE Shooting ()
  5. [5] Federal Authorities Charge Dozens in College Basketball Game-Rigging Scheme ()
  6. [6] Federal Judge Limits ICE Agent Actions Against Minnesota Protesters ()
  7. [7] Department of Justice: Historical Founding and Statutory Authority ()

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