Martin Kaste

2 weeks ago | mprnews.org | Martin Kaste

The Justice Department has drastically scaled back its support for anti-crime initiatives across the country, leaving law enforcement agencies and private groups scrambling to try to replace the money. The cuts were announced in late April, and the Council on Criminal Justice estimates 373 grants were terminated, totaling about $500 million. The sweeping nature of the cuts took many public safety groups by surprise.

1 month ago | kpbs.org | Martin Kaste

It's often assumed the 2005 Real ID law was a result of the terrorist attacks of 2001 and the 9/11 Commission's recommendation that the federal government "set standards" for state-issued IDs. But Brian Zimmer says Congress' concerns about IDs date back earlier, to at least 1995. "Because the Oklahoma City bombers bought their fertilizer [for the bomb] using a counterfeit ID made by a wife of one of them on an ironing board," says Zimmer, who was a researcher for the House Judiciary Committee.

1 month ago | kpbs.org | Martin Kaste

President Trump has signed two executive orders promising to "unleash high-impact local police forces" and to step up law enforcement pressure on "criminal aliens." While the orders are separate, they share a White House vision of reinvigorated local police who work closely with federal law enforcement.

2 months ago | boisestatepublicradio.org | Allison Sherry |Martin Kaste

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday handed the Trump administration a victory, backing the legality of the administration's effort to deport accused members of the Venezuelan criminal gang known as Tren de Aragua under the Alien Enemies Act. The court also required the government to give the Venezuelans "reasonable time" to contest their deportations. Federal officials have framed the gang as a national scourge and an "invasion," something gang experts say is likely overstated.

2 months ago | nhpr.org | Allison Sherry |Martin Kaste

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday handed the Trump administration a victory, backing the legality of the administration's effort to deport accused members of the Venezuelan criminal gang known as Tren de Aragua under the Alien Enemies Act. The court also required the government to give the Venezuelans "reasonable time" to contest their deportations. Federal officials have framed the gang as a national scourge and an "invasion," something gang experts say is likely overstated.