Trump Administration Dismisses DOJ Lawyers Linked to Criminal Probes

The dismissal of Justice Department lawyers by the Trump administration has raised concerns over political motivations behind personnel changes, particularly those involved in two significant criminal investigations against Trump.

 

The Trump administration has taken a dramatic step by firing more than a dozen lawyers from the Justice Department who were part of the investigative team working on criminal cases against the former president. Acting Attorney General James McHenry cited that these lawyers could not be trusted to enact the president's agenda due to their substantial involvement in prosecuting Trump, as reported by CBS News.

These attorneys were integral to former special counsel Jack Smith’s investigations, which involved allegations of Trump's mishandling of classified documents and attempts to contest the outcome of the 2020 election. The firings, effective immediately, signify a notable shift in the Justice Department, which Trump has criticized as politically biased against him.

Jack Smith was appointed in 2022 to manage these sensitive investigations. Despite Trump’s promise to terminate Smith upon taking office—a pledge he never fulfilled—Smith successfully brought criminal charges against Trump, who maintains his innocence. The cases were ultimately closed due to departmental regulations that prevent prosecuting sitting presidents.

The specific individuals terminated remain undisclosed, but many were veteran prosecutors specializing in corruption and national security, having served under Administrations from both major parties. They received notifications stating their prior roles disqualified them from serving in the department going forward.

Joyce Vance, a former U.S. Attorney, condemned the dismissals, labeling them unacceptable and harmful to the rule of law. This decision comes alongside a broader reshuffling of top officials within the department, including the reported resignation of the chief of the public integrity section.

Unsurprisingly, Trump and his supporters claim that the Justice Department has been weaponized against them, signaling further intent to overhaul the agency. His nominee for Attorney General, Pam Bondi, has echoed these sentiments, portraying Federal prosecutions as politically driven acts of persecution.

In tandem with these developments, Washington, D.C.'s federal attorney has initiated an internal review of the judicial decisions related to the charges faced by many involved in the Capitol riot, indicating ongoing scrutiny of the previous administration's judiciary actions.