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Attorney General Memorandum Raises Questions Around Enforcement of Transnational Anti-Corruption Laws
Washington, DC—On February 5, 2025, Attorney General Pam Bondi circulated a Memorandum to U.S. Justice Department employees with the subject heading “Total Elimination of Cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations.” The Memorandum explains the outlined changes as a step toward implementing President Trump’s January 20, 2025, Executive Order entitled “Designating Cartels And…”
DOJ Policy Changes Aimed at increasing White Collar Prosecutions and Enforcement
Invoking the post-Watergate DOJ and the 2015 Yates Memo, the September 2021 speech and memorandum are part of the DOJ’s broader strategy to return to its ”traditional” approach of prosecuting white collar crime. On July 1, 2021, U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland rescinded two Trump-era DOJ memoranda (2017 sessions Memo Prohibition on…
U.S. Attorney General Shifts Focus from White Collar Crime Toward combating cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations
On February 5,2025,the newly sworn-in Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a memorandum with the subject “Total Elimination of Cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations.” The memo emphasizes the need to protect the “sovereignty” of the country, which would imply wholly dismantling each of these groups and its members, without taking into account their immigration situation.
For low-level criminals, he adds that his criminal priority will be avoiding prioritizing their deportation when they lack legal immigration status.
“We must do more than trying to mitigate the enormous damage that these groups cause in the United States. It is indeed not enough to stop the wave of mortal drugs, such as fentanyl, which these groups distribute in our country,” said the prosecutor’s office.
Attorney General Memorandum Raises questions Around Enforcement of Transnational anti-Corruption Laws
Table of Contents
Washington, DC—On February 5, 2025, Attorney General pam Bondi circulated a Memorandum to U.S. Justice department employees with the subject heading “Total Elimination of Cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations.” The Memorandum explains the outlined changes as a step toward implementing President Trump’s January 20, 2025, Executive Order entitled “Designating Cartels And…”
Interview with Dr. jane Thompson: Expert Analysis on the DOJ Memorandum
Introduction to the Memorandum
Senior Editor (SE): Dr. Jane Thompson, thank you for joining us today.Can you provide an overview of the Attorney General’s Memorandum and its meaning?
Dr. Jane Thompson (JT): Thank you for having me.The Memorandum issued by Attorney General Pam Bondi on February 5, 2025, is a significant step towards implementing President Trump’s Executive Order. It emphasizes the need to dismantle transnational criminal organizations and cartels, focusing on their impact on U.S. sovereignty and public safety.
Policy Changes and White Collar Prosecutions
SE: How do these changes compare to previous DOJ policies, particularly those related to white collar prosecutions?
JT: The Memorandum represents a shift from the traditional focus on white collar crime prosecutions, which were emphasized under the 2015 Yates Memo and during the tenure of Attorney General Merrick Garland. The current administration is prioritizing the elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations,aiming to mitigate the damage caused by these groups in the United States.
Impact on Transnational Criminal Organizations
SE: What are the potential implications of this Memorandum on the enforcement of transnational anti-corruption laws?
JT: The Memorandum raises questions about the enforcement of transnational anti-corruption laws, particularly regarding the prioritization of deportation for low-level criminals who lack legal immigration status. By focusing on the dismantling of these organizations, the DOJ is signaling a tougher stance on transnational crime, which may have broader implications for international cooperation and legal frameworks.
Focus on Drug trafficking and Public Safety
SE: How does the Memorandum address issues related to drug trafficking, especially concerning substances like fentanyl?
JT: The Memorandum explicitly mentions the need to stop the distribution of deadly drugs like fentanyl, which are often trafficked by these criminal organizations. By prioritizing the elimination of these groups,the DOJ aims to reduce the flow of these harmful substances into the United States,thereby enhancing public safety.
Conclusion
SE: What are the main takeaways from this Memorandum,and how might it shape future DOJ policies?
JT: The main takeaway is that the DOJ is shifting its focus towards combating transnational criminal organizations and cartels,prioritizing public safety and the sovereignty of the United States. This Memorandum signals a new direction for the DOJ,potentially leading to increased international cooperation and more aggressive enforcement of anti-corruption laws.
SE: Thank you, Dr.Jane Thompson, for your insights on this vital topic.
JT: Thank you for having me.
