The U.S.Department of Justice’s civil rights division has come under scrutiny for its evolving approach to investigations, particularly under the Trump administration.

Recent reports highlight a shift from prioritizing police misconduct cases to focusing on gun rights and alleged violations against gun owners, such as California's ban on Glock pistols.

This change has sparked concern among former officials and legal experts, who argue it undermines the division’s historical mission to protect civil rights.

The division, which gained authority after the 1991 Rodney King beating, has closed numerous active police investigations and redirected resources toward cases involving gun-related claims.

Critics, including former attorneys and watchdog groups like Democracy Forward, accuse the current leadership of politicizing investigations and abandoning its core mandate.

For instance, while the division pursued allegations of antisemitism at UCLA, it also faced backlash for closing probes into systemic abuses at facilities like Chowchilla, where former guards were recently convicted of sexual misconduct.

The tone of public messaging has grown more confrontational, with leaders like Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche framing state gun restrictions as overt violations of constitutional rights.

Former officials warn that the division’s changing priorities and leadership may have eroded its ability to effectively enforce civil rights protections for all Americans.