Justice Department Halts Civil Rights Division Activities Amid Biden Administration Review

Jan 23, 2025, 01:00 AM

The U.S. Department of Justice has ordered a temporary halt to all activities within its Civil Rights Division, affecting ongoing litigation from the Biden administration and preventing the initiation of new cases or settlements. This directive, reported by multiple sources including The Washington Post and Fox News, was communicated through a memo to Kathleen Wolfe, the interim head of the division. The freeze aims to allow President Donald Trump's appointees, including his nominee Harmeet Dhillon, the opportunity to review and decide on the initiation of new cases. The duration of the pause remains unspecified, though it is expected to last at least a few weeks. This action could impact recent agreements with cities like Louisville and Minneapolis, which were in the process of implementing police reforms following high-profile incidents.