Trump DOJ Targets: A Broad Array of Investigations Underway
The New York Times has compiled a sweeping list of individuals and entities currently under investigation by the Justice Department under the second Trump administration, revealing what critics describe as an unprecedented effort to weaponize federal law enforcement against political opponents. The targets range from the chairman of the Federal Reserve to Democratic members of Congress, former intelligence officials, and private citizens who have crossed the president.
The Scope of Investigations
According to The Guardian, the Trump DOJ has opened criminal investigations into a wide array of individuals, including former FBI Director James Comey, New York Attorney General Letitia James, former CIA Director John Brennan, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and writer E. Jean Carroll. Notably, none of these investigations have resulted in convictions as of this report.
James Comey: Twice Indicted
James Comey has been indicted twice by the Trump DOJ. The first indictment, filed in 2025, charged him with lying to Congress but was dismissed by a federal judge who ruled the prosecutor was wrongfully appointed. The second indictment, filed on April 28, 2026, charged Comey with making a threat against the president over an Instagram post of seashells arranged to read “86 47” — a reference to getting rid of the 47th president. As The Guardian reported, Comey responded defiantly: “Well, they’re back. This time, about a picture of seashells on a North Carolina beach a year ago. And this won’t be the end of it, but nothing has changed with me. I am still innocent. I am still not afraid.”
Letitia James: Dismissed and Rejected
New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted in October 2025 on federal bank fraud and false statement charges related to a property purchase in Norfolk, Virginia. The case was dismissed after a judge ruled the prosecutor was wrongfully appointed. According to AP News, a subsequent attempt to secure a new indictment was rejected by a grand jury in December 2025 — a rare instance of a grand jury pushing back against DOJ prosecution efforts.
Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has been under criminal investigation since January 2026 over cost overruns on the renovation of the Fed’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., where costs increased from an initial estimate of $1.9 billion to $2.5 billion. However, as NPR reported, a federal judge blocked the DOJ’s criminal probe in March 2026, explicitly citing threats to the central bank’s independence. Judge James Boasberg wrote that “the Government has offered no evidence whatsoever that Powell committed any crime other than displeasing the President.”
E. Jean Carroll Under Perjury Investigation
The DOJ has opened a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the writer who accused Trump of sexual assault, for alleged perjury related to a 2022 deposition in her civil lawsuits against the president. The probe focuses on whether Carroll concealed outside financial support from a nonprofit funded by LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has recused himself from this investigation due to his prior role representing Trump in Carroll’s civil case.
Congressional Targets
Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) is under DOJ investigation for alleged immigration fraud and financial ties to family members, as confirmed by Vice President JD Vance in May 2026. Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) has also been investigated by the DOJ, though specific charges have not been detailed. Former CIA Director John Brennan is facing an accelerating inquiry, and the Southern Poverty Law Center was charged with criminal counts in April 2026.
Analysis: A Pattern of Procedural Setbacks
A striking pattern has emerged across these investigations: cases have been dismissed due to procedural irregularities, with judges ruling that prosecutors were wrongfully appointed. This has raised serious questions about the DOJ’s legal strategy under Trump appointees. The grand jury’s refusal to reindict Letitia James further suggests that even the traditional rubber-stamp function of grand juries is being tested.
What’s Next
The investigations represent a significant test of institutional checks and balances. With Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche reportedly seeking the permanent position after Trump fired Pam Bondi for not moving aggressively enough, the pace of investigations may accelerate. However, continued judicial pushback — as seen in the Powell and Comey cases — suggests that the courts may serve as a critical bulwark against what critics describe as the politicization of the Justice Department.
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, the scope and outcome of these investigations will likely remain a central political flashpoint, shaping public debate about the rule of law and the independence of federal law enforcement.