Presidents have long pursued policy prerogatives through the Department of Justice, but traditionally there’s been a clear dividing line between those and DOJ enforcement decisions. At this Forum, experts who have served in senior positions in the White House and DOJ will assess the degree to which that has now changed. Among the topics they’ll discuss: What is the origin of and reason for DOJ’s measure of independence? How has this worked as a practical matter given the department’s mix of political and career employees, and how is the current administration observing those lines? What lessons should we draw from the case against Mayor Eric Adams? And what can other institutional actors, including judges and legislators, do in response to the unfolding developments?
February 25, 2025
NYU Law Forum—The Department of Justice Then and Now
