U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia

Rule Changes

Announced the civil settlement

The Strand, the Union Square bookstore known for "18 miles of books," agreed to pay $1,482,560 to settle claims that it wrongly received a $932,350 pandemic loan. The loan came in February 2021 from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which Congress had barred for businesses controlled by a member of Congress or their spouse.

Updated 1 hour ago

Rule Changes

Prosecuted then dropped the case

A Washington, D.C., judge has permanently barred federal prosecutors from refiling charges against David Hearn, the former Olympic canoeist accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Judge Todd Edelman's October 1 ruling cited President Trump's public pressure on prosecutors as a reason the case cannot be reopened.

Updated Oct 20

Force in Play

As of May 2026: Prosecuting Cole on explosive device charges

A hoodie-clad figure planted two pipe bombs outside the Democratic and Republican headquarters on the evening before the Capitol riot. Then-Vice President-elect Kamala Harris came within 20 feet of one device. The bombs never exploded—a matter of luck, prosecutors say, not design. For nearly five years, the FBI's most intensive manhunt since 9/11 turned up nothing.

Updated May 18