Trending Now - Trump's Legal Battle Expands With Comey Conspiracy Claims
WHO:
James Comey, former FBI Director, is being targeted in a new investigation by President Trump.
Aileen Cannon, a pro-Trump judge, is overseeing the grand jury in the case against Comey.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)
Legal scholars Barbara McQuade and Joyce White Vance
Hayes Brown, writer and editor for MS NOW
Julie Le, former Department of Homeland Security lawyer
WHAT:
The investigation into Comey has produced more than 130 subpoenas since it began in 2025.
The case targets top officials who worked under former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
DOJ is facing challenges in prosecuting President Trump's foes due to resignations and unfavorable rulings.
DOJ has shifted its hiring policies to allow U.S. attorneys' offices to hire lawyers straight out of law school.
A DOJ memo stated that the one-year minimum experience requirement can be waived for hiring.
The memo indicated an "exigent hiring need for attorneys across the Department."
The suspension of the experience requirement is in effect until February 28th, 2027.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota is implementing the new hiring policy.
WHERE:
The investigation is taking place in Florida's Southern District, which has a more pro-Trump jury pool.
U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) offices
District of Minnesota
WHEN:
The investigation was reported to have ramped up in 2025.
The memo was reported on March 19th, 2026.
The suspension of the experience requirement is effective until February 28th, 2027.
The challenges at DOJ began after a flood of firings, resignations, and buyouts in 2025.
WHY:
Critics claim the investigation is part of a "grand conspiracy" and lawfare against Trump's perceived political enemies.
The DOJ's hiring policy change is due to a significant decrease in staff and an urgent need for attorneys.
The appeal of DOJ positions has diminished since the start of President Trump's second term.
HOW:
Trump has directed his Justice Department to prosecute individuals he personally dislikes, leading to concerns about the motivations behind these prosecutions.
The DOJ is allowing the hiring of newly graduated lawyers to fill vacant positions quickly.
The administration's screenings for ideological purity and loyalty to the MAGA agenda are influencing hiring practices.
(UPDATED March 19, 2026 21:11 UTC)
In a significant development, President Trump is targeting James Comey in a new investigation, which is being overseen by pro-Trump judge Aileen Cannon in Florida's Southern District. Since the investigation ramped up in 2025, it has issued over 130 subpoenas and focuses on top officials from the administrations of Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Critics argue that this case is part of a broader "grand conspiracy" against Trump's political opponents, raising concerns about the motivations behind these prosecutions directed by the Justice Department.
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(UPDATED March 19, 2026 19:25 UTC)
Today, the U.S. Department of Justice announced a significant change in its hiring policies due to challenges in prosecuting President Trump's foes, stemming from a wave of resignations and unfavorable rulings. A memo released today reveals that the DOJ will now allow U.S. attorneys' offices, including the District of Minnesota, to hire lawyers straight out of law school, waiving the usual one-year experience requirement until February 28, 2027. This shift aims to address an urgent need for attorneys as the appeal of DOJ positions has declined since the beginning of Trump's second term.