A Justice Department spokesperson issued a clarification overnight regarding a recent “emergency powers” request to Congress involving prolonged pre-trial incarceration during the coronavirus crisis that drew a backlash on social media. The DOJ claimed that there had been “confusion” after Politico and Rolling Stone wrote that the department was seeking new "emergency powers" for itself that would “suspend” certain rights in criminal matters. In reality, the spokeswoman said, judges would be the ones to determine whether a defendant could be held in custody for longer than normally permitted. FBI RAISES EYEBROWS AFTER SAYING IT WOULD NOT ACCEPT ELECTRONIC FOIA REQUESTS DUE TO CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK“Bottom line: The proposed legislative text confers powers upon judges. It does not confer new powers upon the executive branch,” said a statement posted by DOJ spokeswoman Kerri Kupec early Monday morning.

Source: Fox News March 23, 2020 12:22 UTC