Under President Trump, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has significantly realigned its enforcement priorities, focusing on issues that impact national security, violent crime, and economic integrity. While many of the same laws remain in place, the manner in which federal prosecutors have been directed to use them and the types of cases that receive the most attention continues to evolve. Individuals and businesses facing federal investigation or criminal charges should understand these shifting priorities to help anticipate enforcement trends, identify risk areas, and develop a proactive and effective defense strategy.
The DOJ’s revised enforcement priorities focus on issues that align with the President’s “America First “ agenda, which emphasizes national security, economic competitiveness, and targeting white collar crime prosecution, particularly as it relates to immigration enforcement. The Trump administration has emphasized protection of the U.S. homeland and economy, prosecuting crimes that undermine American competitiveness abroad or threaten public safety. While many thought white collar crime prosecution would be less robust under the Trump administration, recent policy memoranda and guidance from the DOJ suggest a policy that targets waste, fraud, and abuse in federal contracting and other federal programs.
The DOJ has intensified efforts to protect U.S. security and international interests. The government is increasingly prosecuting individuals who violate sanctions or export controls, particularly those that relate to theft of intellectual property, illegal procurement of U.S. goods, and sharing sensitive technologies with foreign adversaries like Russia and China. Individuals working in the defense, technology, or international trade sectors face increased exposure, as even an inadvertent violation could lead to investigation by federal authorities.
Under President Trump, the DOJ has stepped up prosecution of violent crime, particularly as it relates to illegal immigration. The government has pledged the “total elimination” of drug cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations (“TCOs”), targeting organizations that allegedly support these groups through money laundering and drug trafficking. The DOJ has invested significant resources to investigate and prosecute gang violence, particularly as it relates to TCOs. Federal prosecutors have been instructed to prioritize cases involving firearm offenses and crimes tied to border security. Immigration enforcement has also intensified with a focus on prosecuting illegal reentry, document fraud, and crimes associated with unauthorized immigration.
The DOJ continues to focus on investigating and prosecuting fraud against federal programs, including fraud against Medicare and Medicaid, fraud in government contracts, and the misuse of federal funds. The False Claims Act is a key enforcement tool in this area, which federal prosecutors use to target healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and contractors that engage in billing fraud, kickback schemes, or the misuse of government funds. These initiatives further demonstrate the DOJ’s commitment to strengthening white collar crime prosecution nationwide.
Federal prosecutors have been instructed to prioritize violent crime, TCOs, and offenses that threaten public safety. This represents a change from regulatory-enforcement priorities under prior administrations in favor of more traditional criminal prosecutions. Federal agencies are increasingly partnering with state and local law enforcement to identify organized criminal activity and drug trafficking networks. This means criminal charges that previously would have been handled at the state level are now being prosecuted as federal crimes, particularly when they involve firearms, narcotics, or gang connections.
These policy shifts have real consequences, as federal prosecutors are now more likely to file charges in federal court for cases that were previously handled at the state level. Federal agencies like the FBI, DEA, IRS, and ICE are more likely to coordinate across broader investigations, and federal prosecutors are likely to seek more severe punishments under “law and order” directives.
Individuals who believe they are under investigation or have been charged with a crime in federal court need experienced legal counsel who can help them navigate these complex and challenging legal issues.
Hope Lefeber has been defending individuals in federal court for over 30 years. She has been consistently honored as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by the National Trial Lawyers Association, and as one of the Top 10 Criminal Defense Attorneys in Pennsylvania by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys. Ms. Lefeber has represented high-profile clients, published numerous articles, lectured on federal criminal law issues, and appeared on TV News as a legal expert. She represents clients in Philadelphia and its surrounding counties, New York and in federal courts nationwide.
To put the expertise of an experienced federal criminal defense attorney to work for you, contact the Law Offices of Hope Lefeber today.
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