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US Department of Justice

The latest news and top stories on the US Department of Justice. A prominent Washington DC based federal executive department, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is dedicated to upholding the rule of law, keeping the United States safe and protecting civil rights. Its main areas of focus include enforcing federal laws, administering justice, investigating and prosecuting federal crimes, and overseeing key law enforcement agencies such as the FBI. Established in 1870, the DOJ is recognised as the world's largest law office, playing a crucial role in shaping the US legal landscape and combating threats including terrorism and financial crime.

Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Photo: AP

US-China relations

US Justice Department investigating Harvard over financial aid programmes

The Trump administration is probing if Harvard University is allowing Chinese donors to create scholarships that exclude American students.

21 Jul 2026 - 10:16AM

United States

Paramount and Warner Bros ordered to pause mega-merger

21 Jul 2026 - 11:15AM

US-China relations

Trump turns to China in renewed US birthright citizenship push

21 Jul 2026 - 5:09AMvideocam

United States

US jails Mexican drug kingpin ‘El Mayo’ for life

Most high-profile Mexican drug lord sentenced in the US since 2019 expresses remorse in court.

21 Jul 2026 - 11:50AM

Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada reading his sentencing statement. Image: Elizabeth Williams via AP

United States

Todd Blanche grilled by US lawmakers over Epstein files, Trump tax immunity

The attorney general nominee was also questioned about the US$1.8 billion ‘slush fund’ to compensate the president’s allies.

16 Jul 2026 - 3:57AMvideocam

Hong Kong courts

Former Hong Kong law student gets nearly 3 years after riot acquittal overturned

Alice Tong, 27, sentenced to two years and 10 months’ imprisonment for rioting during 2019 anti-government protests.

15 Jul 2026 - 8:59PM

United States

Trump administration turns over withheld evidence in Good, Pretti killings by agents

Breakthrough in six-month jurisdictional battle gives Minneapolis prosecutors the tools to weigh state charges against federal agents.

14 Jul 2026 - 1:40PM

A sign honouring Alex Pretti and Renee Good at a memorial in Minneapolis, Minnesota in March. Photo: Reuters

Donald Trump

Trump subpoenas journalists over Qatari Air Force One reporting

The Trump administration has subpoenaed several New York Times journalists after their report on security concerns involving the new Air Force One.

11 Jul 2026 - 9:20PM

Hong Kong courts

Former top prosecutor in Hong Kong court over injuring man while drink-driving

Franco Kuan, 45, faces criminal charges over allegations that he seriously injured Tou King-pan in case of reckless driving.

10 Jul 2026 - 5:16PM

US-China relations

US lawmakers urge justice agency to fully investigate Tiananmen display break-in

Unknown individuals are alleged to have broken into a California museum and vandalised exhibits.

10 Jul 2026 - 11:18AM

The June 4th Memorial Museum in El Monte, California. Photo: Google

US-China relations

2 men sentenced for roles in trafficking fentanyl analogues from China to the US

Accused were among nine individuals charged and convicted for their part in importing more than one metric tonne of drugs into the US.

15 Jul 2026 - 4:14AMvideocam

Two men from the US state of New Jersey were sentenced this week for their roles in a drug trafficking organisation that imported fentanyl analogues from China. Photo: Shutterstock

Crime

US man Jeffrey Ying sentenced for stealing rare Chinese manuscript from UCLA

Ying would borrow valuable classics from the university library then swap them for fakes before travelling to China.

9 Jul 2026 - 6:32AM

Malaysia

Anwar vows Malaysia to pursue Jho Low over 1MDB despite potential US pardon

Low is among 250 people that US President Donald Trump may pardon as part of celebrations to mark America’s 250th Independence Day.

3 Jul 2026 - 9:41PM

US-China relations

Alibaba to pay US$600 million to settle US probe into illegal product sales

Amount resolves dispute with US government over allegations firm sold and imported illegal pharmaceuticals and controlled substances into US.

2 Jul 2026 - 7:39AMvideocam

Alibaba has agreed to pay US$600 million to settle a dispute with the US government. Photo: Kyodo

US-China relations

Exclusive | US lawmaker defends calling witness ‘racist’ in explosive China committee clash

Californian congressman says ‘denaturalise’ comments by Michael Lucci, founder of State Armor, are ‘absurd’.

30 Jun 2026 - 9:09PMvideocam

US Congressman Ro Khanna says “if you’re born in the United States, you can’t be denaturalised” in response to comments by Michael Lucci. Photo: Getty Images/TNS

Donald Trump

Author of US ‘torture memos’ to advise team probing alleged anti-Trump conspiracy

John Yoo confirms role advising prosecutors related to Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia.

30 Jun 2026 - 11:23AM

United States

Dan Sullivan can challenge Senator Dan Sullivan in Alaska primary, judge rules

The Republican incumbent has accused the retired teacher – who shares his name – of working with his Democratic opponent to confuse voters.

28 Jun 2026 - 3:30AM

United States

US billionaire Leon Black defends US$158 million paid to Epstein

‘I knew Jekyll. I didn’t know Hyde,’ the investor – who features prominently in the Epstein files – told US lawmakers.

27 Jun 2026 - 2:21AM

Leon Black, Chairman, CEO and Director of Apollo Global Management, speaks at a conference in Beverly Hills, California, in May 2018. Photo: Reuters

United States

Former US national security adviser admits illegally keeping top secret info

John Bolton, 77, an outspoken critic of his president, pleaded guilty to one count. He might avoid a prison sentence due to a plea deal.

26 Jun 2026 - 11:50PMvideocam

US-China relations

Trump’s woes at home, China’s World Cup presence: 7 US-China relations reads

From US denaturalisation to military safety talks, here are highlights from our overseas correspondents in the first half of June 2026.

16 Jun 2026 - 10:00PM

United States

Gavin Newsom accuses Trump of directing Justice Department to investigate him

‘He’s coming after me because I ‌am considering running for president,’ the California governor said of Trump on Monday.

16 Jun 2026 - 6:09AMvideocam

California Governor Gavin Newsom. Photo: The Sacramento Bee / TNS

United States

US trade court to Trump administration: speed up tariff refunds

US judge urges faster refunds of billions of dollars in revenue from tariffs that were ‌collected and later deemed illegal by Supreme Court.

10 Jun 2026 - 7:33AMvideocam

US President Donald Trump holds a chart as he delivers remarks on so-called “reciprocal tariffs” during an event at the White House in April, 2025. Photo: AFP

China’s private sector

Microsoft cuts hundreds of mainland cloud jobs, as China, US tighten data laws

The firm is laying off some employees at its cloud unit amid ongoing restrictions on cross-border data flows between the two countries.

9 Jun 2026 - 4:58PM

United States

Trump taps former personal lawyer as attorney general, teeing up Senate fight

Acting attorney general and former Trump defence lawyer Todd Blanche faces a rocky confirmation path over controversies.

9 Jun 2026 - 3:51PM

US-China relations

Nationals from China, India among 17 new US denaturalisation cases

Chinese-born Georgia resident among 17 people accused of obtaining citizenship through fraud or concealing serious crimes.

9 Jun 2026 - 5:57AMvideocam

US prosecutors say a Chinese-born resident of the American state of Georgia hid a prior deportation order and immigration history under a different identity before becoming a US citizen in 2006. Photo: Shutterstock

United States

US Senate passes US$70 billion ICE funding

The funding provided by the bill would help pay for Trump’s controversial migrant deportation crackdown over the next three years.

5 Jun 2026 - 7:59PM

The US Senate on Thursday began a vote-a-rama at the Capitol, a rapid series of votes including measures related to ICE and border patrol funding. Photo: EPA

United States

Trump foe Bolton to plead guilty in classified information case

Ex-national security adviser cuts deal to drop 18 felony counts down to one, facing a US$2.25 million fine but avoiding prison time.

5 Jun 2026 - 4:29PM

United States

Trump to nominate Todd Blanche as US attorney general

Blanche, 51, took over leadership of the Justice Department after Trump fired Pam Bondi in April.

4 Jun 2026 - 10:38PM

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US Department of Justice

US Justice Department investigating Harvard over financial aid programmes

The Trump administration is probing if Harvard University is allowing Chinese donors to create scholarships that exclude American students.

Paramount and Warner Bros ordered to pause mega-merger

Trump turns to China in renewed US birthright citizenship push

US jails Mexican drug kingpin ‘El Mayo’ for life

Most high-profile Mexican drug lord sentenced in the US since 2019 expresses remorse in court.

Todd Blanche grilled by US lawmakers over Epstein files, Trump tax immunity

The attorney general nominee was also questioned about the US$1.8 billion ‘slush fund’ to compensate the president’s allies.

Former Hong Kong law student gets nearly 3 years after riot acquittal overturned

Alice Tong, 27, sentenced to two years and 10 months’ imprisonment for rioting during 2019 anti-government protests.

Trump administration turns over withheld evidence in Good, Pretti killings by agents

Breakthrough in six-month jurisdictional battle gives Minneapolis prosecutors the tools to weigh state charges against federal agents.

Trump subpoenas journalists over Qatari Air Force One reporting

The Trump administration has subpoenaed several New York Times journalists after their report on security concerns involving the new Air Force One.

Former top prosecutor in Hong Kong court over injuring man while drink-driving

Franco Kuan, 45, faces criminal charges over allegations that he seriously injured Tou King-pan in case of reckless driving.

US lawmakers urge justice agency to fully investigate Tiananmen display break-in

Unknown individuals are alleged to have broken into a California museum and vandalised exhibits.

2 men sentenced for roles in trafficking fentanyl analogues from China to the US

Accused were among nine individuals charged and convicted for their part in importing more than one metric tonne of drugs into the US.

US man Jeffrey Ying sentenced for stealing rare Chinese manuscript from UCLA

Ying would borrow valuable classics from the university library then swap them for fakes before travelling to China.

Anwar vows Malaysia to pursue Jho Low over 1MDB despite potential US pardon

Low is among 250 people that US President Donald Trump may pardon as part of celebrations to mark America’s 250th Independence Day.

Alibaba to pay US$600 million to settle US probe into illegal product sales

Amount resolves dispute with US government over allegations firm sold and imported illegal pharmaceuticals and controlled substances into US.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Exclusive | US lawmaker defends calling witness ‘racist’ in explosive China committee clash

Californian congressman says ‘denaturalise’ comments by Michael Lucci, founder of State Armor, are ‘absurd’.

Author of US ‘torture memos’ to advise team probing alleged anti-Trump conspiracy

John Yoo confirms role advising prosecutors related to Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and Russia.

Dan Sullivan can challenge Senator Dan Sullivan in Alaska primary, judge rules

The Republican incumbent has accused the retired teacher – who shares his name – of working with his Democratic opponent to confuse voters.

US billionaire Leon Black defends US$158 million paid to Epstein

‘I knew Jekyll. I didn’t know Hyde,’ the investor – who features prominently in the Epstein files – told US lawmakers.

Former US national security adviser admits illegally keeping top secret info

John Bolton, 77, an outspoken critic of his president, pleaded guilty to one count. He might avoid a prison sentence due to a plea deal.

Trump’s woes at home, China’s World Cup presence: 7 US-China relations reads

From US denaturalisation to military safety talks, here are highlights from our overseas correspondents in the first half of June 2026.

Gavin Newsom accuses Trump of directing Justice Department to investigate him

‘He’s coming after me because I ‌am considering running for president,’ the California governor said of Trump on Monday.

US trade court to Trump administration: speed up tariff refunds

US judge urges faster refunds of billions of dollars in revenue from tariffs that were ‌collected and later deemed illegal by Supreme Court.

Microsoft cuts hundreds of mainland cloud jobs, as China, US tighten data laws

The firm is laying off some employees at its cloud unit amid ongoing restrictions on cross-border data flows between the two countries.

Trump taps former personal lawyer as attorney general, teeing up Senate fight

Acting attorney general and former Trump defence lawyer Todd Blanche faces a rocky confirmation path over controversies.

Nationals from China, India among 17 new US denaturalisation cases

Chinese-born Georgia resident among 17 people accused of obtaining citizenship through fraud or concealing serious crimes.

US Senate passes US$70 billion ICE funding

The funding provided by the bill would help pay for Trump’s controversial migrant deportation crackdown over the next three years.

Trump foe Bolton to plead guilty in classified information case

Ex-national security adviser cuts deal to drop 18 felony counts down to one, facing a US$2.25 million fine but avoiding prison time.

Trump to nominate Todd Blanche as US attorney general

Blanche, 51, took over leadership of the Justice Department after Trump fired Pam Bondi in April.

Exclusive | US lawmaker defends calling witness ‘racist’ in explosive China committee clash