Key facts
- The Justice Department is investigating Duke Law School for alleged racial bias in admissions.
- The investigation examines the use of personal essays as proxies for race in admissions.
- This follows similar probes into Yale and UCLA medical schools.
- Internal watchdogs at the Justice Department face shrinking staff and fear of retribution.
- New OPR cases have reached a 20-year low.
- Misconduct complaints to internal watchdogs have surged.
- Vincent Lang, 60, is charged with intentionally damaging a Philadelphia mosque by fire.
- Lang faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted.
- The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned Cuba's military representative in Beijing.
- Sanctions target procurement activities in China.
- Federal judges accused the Trump Justice Department of misconduct, including false statements and harassment.
The Justice Department has initiated an investigation into Duke University's law school, alleging unlawful consideration of race in its admissions process. Officials are examining whether factors such as personal essays are being used as proxies for race. This action is part of a wider pattern of scrutiny by the Trump administration targeting universities, with similar probes previously launched against Yale and UCLA medical schools.
In parallel, the Justice Department's internal oversight mechanisms are reportedly weakened. Watchdog offices are experiencing shrinking staff levels, and employees express fear of retribution, contributing to a significant decline in investigations. The Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has seen new cases drop to a 20-year low, despite a notable surge in misconduct complaints. Federal judges have accused the Trump Justice Department of misconduct, including allegations of false statements and harassment of political opponents.
In separate actions, the Justice Department announced charges against Vincent Lang, 60, in connection with a fire at the Northeast Philadelphia Islamic Center. Lang is accused of intentionally damaging the mosque because of its religious affiliation and faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted. Additionally, the U.S. Treasury Department has imposed new sanctions on individuals and entities connected to Cuba, specifically targeting its military representative in Beijing and related procurement activities in China.