@ffire of the Attempt; @mvral
Washingtunj?. 2115311

 

March 16, 2020

MEMORANDUM FOR ALL UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS

FROM: THE ATTORNEY GENERAL 

SUBJECT: COVID-19 Department of Justice Priorities

I want to thank each of you for your tremendous service to our nation, particularly during
times of crisis such as these. Please pass along my sincere appreciation to your staffs as they
continue to carry out their important duties. Despite the hardships ahead, I have faith that we

will get through this together. To that end, I am today issuing two directives to each of your
Of?ces.

1. PROTECTING THE JUSTICE SYSTEM

As we face the nationwide spread of COVID-19, I want to emphasize that the critical
mission of the Department of Justice must and will continue. We will ensure that the
Department?s law enforcement functions operate effectively during this outbreak. It is vital that
we work together to safeguard our justice system and thus the safety and security of our nation.

As part of our response, I ask that each of you work closely with the Chief Judge in your
district to ensure that every appropriate precaution is taken to protect the health of those who
practice in or are called before our courts. We must take every appropriate precaution to protect
those who make the system function, including the judges, court staff, lawyers, parties, jurors,
and witnesses who appear in courtrooms. Tomorrow, I will be notifying the Judicial Conference
of the United States of our commitment to safeguard the entire court family, as well as my
directive to each of you to work with your Chief Judges to ensure the Department?s and the
judiciary?s continuity of operations.

The Deputy Attorney General and I, along with our staffs and the Executive Of?ce for
United States Attorneys, are here to support each of you and your of?ces during this time.
Please do not hesitate to contact any of us for assistance. I also encourage all of you to continue
to collaborate as we work to identify the best strategies to carry us forward.

Memorandum from the Attorney General Page 2
Subject: COVID-19 Department of Justice Priorities

II. DETECTING. DETERRING. AND PUNISHING WRONGDOING

In addition to ensuring that the justice system can continue functioning during the current
national crisis, it is essential that the Department of Justice remain vigilant in detecting,
investigating, and prosecuting wrongdoing related to the crisis. In particular, there have been
reports of individuals and businesses selling fake cures for online and engaging in
other forms of fraud, reports of phishing emails from entities posing as the World Health
Organization or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and reports of malware being
inserted onto mobile apps designed to track the spread of the virus. The pandemic is dangerous
enough without wrongdoers seeking to pro?t from public panic and this sort of conduct cannot
be tolerated. Every U.S. Attorney?s Of?ce is thus hereby directed to prioritize the detection,
investigation, and prosecution of all criminal conduct related to the current pandemic.

Your Of?ce is encouraged to consult with the Civil Division?s Consumer Protection
Branch (Gus Eyler), the Criminal Division?s Fraud Section (John Cronan), and the Antitrust
Division?s Criminal Program (Richard Powers) for additional guidance on how to detect,
investigate, and prosecute these schemes. Your Of?ce is also encouraged to work closely with
state and local authorities to both ensure that we hear about misconduct as quickly as possible
and that all appropriate enforcement tools are available to punish it.