Sponsors
The bill strengthens transparency and imposes criminal deterrents to reduce political interference in DOJ investigations, but it also creates separation‑of‑powers risks, may chill lawful communications by DOJ staff, and could invite politically charged enforcement of the new law.
Taxpayers, federal employees, and the public: the bill reduces politically motivated use of DOJ resources and strengthens protections for impartial prosecutions, improving rule-of-law and public trust.
DOJ employees and federal staff: required reporting of improper requests to the Inspector General within 45 days increases transparency and internal oversight of Department decisionmaking.
Taxpayers and those subject to federal investigations: criminal penalties (fines and up to 5 years imprisonment) create a stronger deterrent against high‑level interference, helping protect fair enforcement of the law.
White House staff and senior executive officials: the bill’s definition of “covered person” could expose high‑level aides to criminal liability, raising separation‑of‑powers conflicts and accountability disputes.
DOJ employees and federal staff: the mandatory 45‑day reporting requirement may place employees in difficult positions and chill informal or lawful executive–DOJ communications absent clear guidance or protections.
Taxpayers and the justice system: criminalizing certain communications risks politicized enforcement of the new statute itself, potentially entangling DOJ and courts in politically charged prosecutions.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Makes it a federal crime for certain senior officials to knowingly ask DOJ personnel to open a criminal probe of a particular person for political reasons, requires DOJ reporting to the OIG, and sets penalties.
Introduced January 14, 2026 by Seth Moulton · Last progress January 14, 2026
Creates a new federal crime making it illegal for certain high-level officials to knowingly ask Department of Justice officers or employees to open a criminal investigation or prosecution of a particular person when the request is made selectively for a political purpose. DOJ personnel who receive such a prohibited or reasonably suspected prohibited request must report it to the DOJ Inspector General within 45 days; violators face fines and up to 5 years in prison. The bill also adds a short title and makes a clerical insertion into the list of statutes.