US EditionJustice Department unit on police misconduct sees staffing plunge and probes scaled back, sources say
The Criminal Section lost about two-thirds of prosecutors and cut civil rights probes, including excessive force cases, amid policy shifts prioritizing only egregious misconduct, Reuters analysis found.
- On Feb 5, 2026, Reuters reported the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division has lost two-thirds of its prosecutors, dropping from roughly 40 to no more than 13, and scaled back Minneapolis excessive-force probes.
- At least five senior lawyers announced departures earlier this month amid a selective enforcement approach, as supervisors were told to pursue only egregious law-enforcement probes, and Harmeet Dhillon encouraged some exits.
- A Reuters analysis found charges under the excessive-force civil-rights statute fell about 36 percent last year to 54 cases, just two supervisors remain, and civil rights prosecutors are handling a protest case against Don Lemon, former CNN anchor.
- The departures have curtailed the Justice Department's capacity to prosecute civil-rights violations, including antisemitic and anti-Christian hate crimes, while state and local law enforcement departments typically lead investigations under current guidance.
- Natalie Baldassarre, Justice Department spokesperson, said the section expects to hire more prosecutors, has over 25 lawyers, and opened an investigation into Pretti's killing but not Good's, and called the changes `It's so anomalous`.
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DOJ Unit on Police Misconduct Sees Staffing Plunge and Probes Scaled Back
DOJ unit that probes law enforcement misdeeds dwindles away during ICE crackdown: report
The U.S. Justice Department unit tasked with prosecuting misconduct by law enforcement officers has dwindled away dramatically and has been ordered to scale back investigations of excessive force during the immigration crackdown in Minnesota, reporting suggests.The Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division has lost two-thirds of its prosecutors, dropping from around 40 before President Donald Trump returned to office last year to no more tha…
US Justice Department unit on police misconduct sees staffing plunge and probes scaled back: Sources
WASHINGTON: The United States Justice Department unit responsible for prosecuting potential wrongdoing by law enforcement, including during the crackdown on illegal immigration in Minneapolis, has lost two-thirds
Justice Department unit on police misconduct sees staffing plunge and probes scaled back, sources say
The U.S. Justice Department unit responsible for prosecuting potential wrongdoing by law enforcement, including during the crackdown on illegal immigration in Minneapolis, has lost two-thirds of its prosecutors and is under orders to scale back its investigations of excessive force.
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- 60% of the sources are Center
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