Carrie Johnson

The U.S. Department of Justice has filed federal criminal charges against Derek Chauvin, accusing the former police officer of using excessive force and violating the civil rights of George Floyd.

Prosecutors accuse the former officer and others of using excessive force and violating George Floyd's rights. The rare federal charges follow state charges in a trial in which Chauvin was convicted.

The former New York City mayor has been under investigation for years by federal authorities, who have been looking into his business dealings in Ukraine.

President Biden's rhetoric on criminal justice has excited longtime advocates for reforms. But action has been slow so far in the early days of the administration.

Attorney General Merrick Garland has announced a civil rights investigation into the Louisville police force in a city still reeling from the death of Breonna Taylor last summer.

A major civil rights group is demanding the attorney general pause federal grants to local police until he confirms they aren't engaging in discrimination, citing more police killings of Black people.

The U.S. Department of Justice announced that it will investigate the Minneapolis Police Department for possible patterns of excessive use of force and discriminatory practices.

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the inquiry a day after a jury convicted former officer Derek Chauvin on murder charges in the death of George Floyd.

Much awaits Derek Chauvin. His sentencing will come in eight weeks, and on his most serious charge — unintentional second degree murder — he faces about over 12 years under sentencing guidelines.

Clarke faced senators in a hearing on Wednesday for consideration to lead the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division. If confirmed she would be the first woman and first woman of color in the job.

In a struggle over how gun crimes are handled in D.C., federal prosecutors say they need room to bring charges in federal court — advocates say it's a civil rights issue, driving mass incarceration.

President Biden pledged that criminal justice reform would be a key theme of his administration. But some advocates say they're anxious to see more action.

Current and former officials say that the executive order could mean that some pretrial detainees are housed hours away from courthouses where their cases will be heard, diverting resources.

Within the Federal Bureau of Prisons, inmates are asked to "voluntarily" agree to electronic monitoring in order to use the bureau's email system. But critics say there's nothing voluntary about it.

FBI Director Chris Wray gives an update on the investigation into the Capitol insurrection. He has described the threat of domestic terrorism in the U.S. as "metastasizing" across the country.

In a rare interview, FBI Director Christopher Wray told NPR that the bureau will keep working on the sprawling investigation "no matter how long it takes."

FBI Director Chris Wray explains the ongoing investigation into the riot at the Capitol and the recent spate of attacks directed against Asian Americans.

The whistleblowers accuse Jeffrey Bossert Clark of conducting a "sham" process and elevating a person who volunteered to defend a controversial Trump policy on abortion access.

The Senate has confirmed Merrick Garland to run the Justice Department. He's vowed to crack down on violent domestic extremists and reduce racial disparities in the justice system.

Two more of President Biden's nominees to lead the Justice Department will be questioned by the Senate this week as Merrick Garland prepares for confirmation as attorney general.