The U.S. Justice Department said on Thursday that it has filed a lawsuit against New York state, challenging state policies that blocked immigration officials from arresting individuals at or near New York courthouses.

The lobbying wave comes as the Trump administration has dramatically scaled back the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section, reduced the size of its foreign bribery unit and advised department attorneys that tax enforcement is "not a priority," two of the people familiar with the matter said.

Lawyers for President Donald Trump’s administration say he has the authority to abolish national monuments meant to protect historical and archaeological sites.

This latest lawsuit in a series of sanctuary city litigation underscores the Department of Justice’s commitment to keeping Americans safe and aggressively enforcing the law,” US Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement.

Including those two, the Justice Department has fired 17 people who worked on former Special Counsel Jack Smith's team prosecuting Trump since he returned to power in January.

The federal investigation comes after “information” that the state government used affirmative action in their employment practices.

President Donald Trump has the power to abolish two national monuments in California established by his Democratic predecessor Joe Biden, as well as any others created by past presidents, according to a newly released legal opinion from a key adviser within the U.

DOJ advises U.S. Attorney Offices to prepare for potential criminal investigations as thousands plan to join nationwide 'No Kings' protests against Trump administration policies on Saturday.