United States Department of Justice

Some of the key events about United States Department of Justice

• 1870

  Established to handle all federal law enforcement and criminal justice matters
• 1908

  The DOJ's Bureau of Investigation (predecessor to the FBI) was created without Congressional approval, raising concerns about executive overreach.
• 1909

  Created the Bureau of Investigation, predecessor to the FBI
• 1919

  The DOJ conducted the controversial Palmer Raids, arresting and deporting thousands of suspected radicals and anarchists without due process.
• 1942

  The DOJ supported the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, violating their civil rights.
• 1950

  The DOJ established a "Sex Deviates" program to purge LGBTQ+ individuals from government employment.
• 1956

  The DOJ's COINTELPRO program was initiated, illegally surveilling and disrupting domestic political organizations.
• 1957

  Created the Civil Rights Division to enforce federal civil rights laws
• 1968

  Established the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration to provide federal funding for state and local law enforcement
• 1970

  Enacted the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act to combat organized crime
• 1971

  The DOJ attempted to prevent the publication of the Pentagon Papers, infringing on press freedom.
• 1973

  The DOJ was implicated in the Watergate scandal, with several officials involved in the cover-up.
• 1984

  Passed the Victims of Crime Act to provide support and resources for crime victims
• 1990

  Implemented the Americans with Disabilities Act to prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities
• 1993

  The DOJ's handling of the Waco siege resulted in the deaths of 76 Branch Davidians, including children.
• 1994

  Passed the Violence Against Women Act to improve criminal justice responses to domestic violence and sexual assault
• 2001

  Created the Office of Privacy and Civil Liberties to protect individual rights in the post-9/11 era
• 2002

  The DOJ issued memos justifying the use of enhanced interrogation techniques, later criticized as torture.
• 2009

  Expanded hate crime protections with the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act
• 2013

  The DOJ was revealed to have secretly obtained phone records of Associated Press journalists, compromising press freedom.

Disclaimer: This material is written based on information taken from open sources, including Wikipedia, news media, podcasts, and other public sources.