History of United States Department of Justice in Timeline

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) is a crucial executive department within the U.S. federal government. Its primary function is to enforce federal laws domestically and ensure the administration of justice. The head of the DOJ is the United States Attorney General, who is appointed by the President and serves as a member of the Cabinet, reporting directly to the President. Currently, Todd Blanche is the acting Attorney General. The DOJ is equivalent to the justice ministries of other countries.

1913: Reference to U.S. Code Title 18 Section 1913

In 2003, the LifeAndLiberty.gov website was criticized for allegedly violating U.S. Code Title 18 Section 1913, which forbids money appropriated by Congress to be used to lobby in favor of any law, actual or proposed. U.S. Code Title 18 Section 1913 was active in 1913.

1924: Establishment of Women's Facility

In 1924, a facility for women was established in Alderson, West Virginia, expanding the Department of Justice's prison system.

1929: Death of Milton Bennett Medary

In 1929, Milton Bennett Medary, who designed the U.S. Department of Justice building, passed away. The other partners of his Philadelphia firm, Zantzinger, Borie and Medary, took over the project.

1933: Executive Order by President Roosevelt

In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order that gave the Department of Justice responsibility for prosecuting claims and demands by and against the U.S. government, defending claims against the government, and supervising the work of U.S. attorneys, marshals, and clerks.

1935: Completion of the U.S. Department of Justice Building

In 1935, the U.S. Department of Justice building was completed based on a design by Milton Bennett Medary. The building is located on a lot bordered by Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenues and Ninth and Tenth Streets, Northwest.

1942: Creation of War Division

In 1942, the Department of Justice created a War Division to handle legal matters related to World War II.

1945: Disestablishment of War Division

In 1945, the War Division within the Department of Justice, which was created during World War II, was disestablished.

2001: Building Renamed in Honor of Robert F. Kennedy

In 2001, the Department of Justice Main Building in Washington, D.C., was renamed in honor of former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.

March 2003: Abolishment of Immigration and Naturalization Service

In March 2003, the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service was abolished, and its functions were transferred to the United States Department of Homeland Security. The Executive Office for Immigration Review and the Board of Immigration Appeals remained under the jurisdiction of the Department of Justice.

2003: Creation of LifeAndLiberty.gov

In 2003, the Department of Justice created LifeAndLiberty.gov, a website that supported the USA PATRIOT Act. The website was later criticized for allegedly violating U.S. Code Title 18 Section 1913.

October 5, 2021: Formation of Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team

On October 5, 2021, U.S. Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco announced the formation of a "Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team" during the Aspen Cyber Summit.

2024: DOJ Targeted by Trump for Political Opponents

In 2024, during the second Trump presidency, it was reported that the DOJ was used to target Trump's political opponents. Trump also reportedly demanded $230 million in compensation from the DOJ, and the department ended an investigation into Tom Homan receiving $50,000.

2025: DOJ sought voter roll data

As part of Republican Party efforts to disrupt voting after the 2024 United States presidential election, in 2025 the DOJ sought voter roll data from over 30 states and initiated the 2025 Texas redistricting.