Overview

• The Justice Department is considering a proposal to eliminate the requirement for Public Integrity Section (PIN) approval in cases against members of Congress.
• If adopted, the changes would allow U.S. attorneys, appointed by the president, to indict lawmakers without the oversight designed to prevent politically motivated prosecutions.
• The proposal is part of a broader restructuring under Attorney General Pam Bondi, which has included downsizing PIN from 30 prosecutors to fewer than five.
• Critics, including former PIN attorneys and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, warn the move could erode impartiality and weaken safeguards against corruption.
• A DOJ spokesperson confirmed the proposal is under review but emphasized that no final decisions have been made.