By — Eric Tucker, Associated Press Eric Tucker, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/trumps-justice-department-pushes-a-spate-of-politically-sensitive-cases-as-midterm-elections-near Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Trump's Justice Department pushes a spate of politically sensitive cases as midterm elections near Politics Oct 29, 2026 2:03 PM EDT WASHINGTON (AP) — A crucial and contentious midterm election arrives next week, and President Donald Trump's Justice Department has been scrambling with a blitz of headline-making actions and cases that defense lawyers, Democrats and other critics say is no coincidence and reeks of politics — in both the timing and the targets. READ MORE: Trump administration charges former FBI Director James Comey for the third time This month alone, the Justice Department escalated an investigation into Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar with a search of her home; brought criminal charges against two former FBI officials accused of falsely downplaying their knowledge of investigations involving Hunter Biden; revealed a fresh attempt to prosecute former FBI Director James Comey; and made an unsuccessful attempt to indict a former White House aide who delivered…
Trump's Justice Department pushes a spate of politically sensitive cases as midterm elections near
In short
Federal authorities initiated actions targeting Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar, former FBI Director James Comey, and two officials tied to Hunter Biden probes, while also launching voting-related lawsuits in Alaska and California. Critics argue this coordinated blitz breaks department norms designed to avoid overt investigative steps that could influence an upcoming vote. In an additional move, prosecutors made an unsuccessful attempt to indict a former White House aide who previously testified regarding efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The department defended its conduct by asserting that internal policies do not require pausing active work before an election.
Key points
- Critics and legal observers argue the recent legal blitz represents a historic disregard…: Critics and legal observers argue the recent legal blitz represents a historic disregard for departmental norms concerning politically sensitive cases.
- Justice Department officials maintain that avoiding significant legal actions within 60 d…: Justice Department officials maintain that avoiding significant legal actions within 60 days of an election is merely an unwritten guideline.
- Department leadership asserts that ongoing federal investigations are legally governed by…: Department leadership asserts that ongoing federal investigations are legally governed by purpose and facts rather than the timing of Election Day.