Even if we knew this was coming, John, it's still bad: The Justice Department has ordered the civil rights division to halt much of its investigative activity and not pursue new indictments, cases or settlements, according to a memo sent to the temporary head of the division.

The letter instructs the division to ensure that civil rights attorneys do not file “any new complaints, motions to intervene, agreed-upon remands, amicus briefs, or statements of interest.” Another memo directed attorneys to notify leadership of any settlements or consent decrees — court-enforceable agreements to reform police agencies — that were finalized by the Biden administration within the last 90 days. 

It's worth noting that these memos pertain to the work done by nonpartisan civil servants, lawyers who are career DOJ employees and serve regardless of who is president. Any presidential appointees from the last administration ended their jobs when Trump was inaugurated.

This action -- though expected, based on how this division was sidelined in Trump's first four years -- highlights how badly we need to fight for our fundamental rights as citizens, from the outside of government.

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