New: Federal judge declines to temporarily block the Justice Department from dismantling its the Community Relations Service

Says groups challenging the move have a strong case on the merits, but haven't met the irreparable harm standard

New: A rough budget outlook for the Judiciary in FY26:

—Will spend $35 million *less* on court security amid escalating threat landscape
—Long-running hiring freeze extended for fed public defenders
—Lawyers representing poor defendants would again face months-long payment lapse

NEW: In a court filing today, DOJ prosecutors say Justice Kavanaugh received a threatening letter earlier this year that invoked the name of Nicholas Roske, the man who pleaded guilty to plotting to kill the justice.

DOJ argues that Roske's actions have led to other threats. From the filing:

From the ruling:

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

New: District court has dismissed a federal lawsuit over the dismantling of USAID. The case, brought by AFGE and AFSA, said the dismantling took place without authorization from Congress.

DOJ said its priorities changed, but the judge says the grants were already going toward those goals.

In Seattle, the Children and Youth Justice Center got funding to prevent and reduce gun violence against youth, the judge noted.

A win for the Trump admin: Judge tosses lawsuit brought by groups who saw their Justice Dept. grant funding abruptly terminated this spring.

Judge dismisses the suit, but has harsh words for the DOJ, calling the terminations "arbitrary" and "shameful."

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

The White House released new details Friday about its fiscal 2026 budget request that includes plans to consolidate Justice Department grant components, a major shake-up to offices that dole out money to victim services providers and help support community policing.

plus.cq.com/doc/news-825...

Story: rollcall.com/2025/04/25/o...

New: DOJ slams social media posts from fmr. Rep. Santos ahead of his sentencing next week, says he's "not genuinely remorseful."

"If he were, his actions would be different."

"Even at this late stage, he simply refuses to fully own up to his actions."

New: Federal court in Rhode Island grants preliminary injunction, blocks Trump admin from freezing funding appropriated via the IRA and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

A 4th Circuit panel halts a district court ruling that stopped the Trump administration from firing federal probationary employees

storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

News: Man accused of plotting to kill Supreme Court Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh plans to plea guilty, federal court filings say

Missed this from earlier this month: The Trump administration is pondering whether to appeal (to the Supreme Court) a ruling over the constitutionality of a law that bans felons from having guns.

The Supreme Court has given them some more time to figure out their next step.

Senators have identified 7 federal prison institutions that will see their retention incentives removed completely.

Letter: www.durbin.senate.gov/imo/media/do...

Background: rollcall.com/2025/02/26/f...

Federal judge in Maryland orders Trump admin to reinstate probationary employees who were fired from a host of agencies, including USDA, HHS and Dept. of Energy. Judge finds the gov. gave no prior warning before conducting "massive layoffs."

"They were all just fired. Collectively."

Union representing federal prison employees says the BOP has decided to "reduce or eliminate retention pay for its staff members."

The system already is facing a perennial staffing crisis.

With DOJ's work on corporate enforcement, this is a good example of the types of potential conflicts of interest Pam Bondi would have to navigate as attorney general.

(Bondi previously provided legal services to Pfizer, according to a financial disclosure)