In a significant shakeup of the U.S. Justice Department, President Donald Trump on Monday dismissed more than a dozen lawyers involved in criminal cases against him. The move followed the conclusion of Acting Attorney General James McHenry, a Trump appointee, that the officials could not be trusted to implement the President’s agenda due to their roles in prosecuting him.
McHenry, in a termination letter, invoked Trump’s constitutional powers as chief executive to justify the firings. Among those dismissed were attorneys who worked closely with Special Counsel Jack Smith, who had spearheaded two federal prosecutions against Trump. Smith, who resigned earlier this month, had been instrumental in cases involving allegations of Trump illegally retaining classified documents and attempting to interfere with the certification of the 2020 presidential election.
Both cases were dropped after Trump’s re-election in November, with Smith citing the Justice Department’s long-standing policy against prosecuting a sitting president. Trump had pleaded not guilty to all charges, claiming the cases reflected a politically motivated weaponization of the legal system.
The firings coincided with an internal review initiated by Ed Martin, the top federal prosecutor in Washington and a Trump appointee. The review focused on the use of felony obstruction charges against individuals accused of participating in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. A Supreme Court ruling last year raised the legal bar for such charges, leading to their dismissal in several cases.
The shake-up extended beyond frontline prosecutors, with up to 20 senior career officials, including top ethics officer Bradley Weinsheimer and former public corruption section chief Corey Amundson, reassigned or removed. Amundson, who had advised Smith’s team, announced his resignation on Monday.
The firings underline Trump’s determination to follow through on his long-standing grievances against the Justice Department, which he and his allies have criticized for pursuing cases against him and his supporters during his time out of office.
Meanwhile, the U.S. Senate is set to vote on Trump’s attorney general nominee, Pam Bondi, later this week. Bondi’s confirmation will play a critical role in shaping the Justice Department’s direction under Trump’s administration.
These developments mark a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s efforts to realign the Justice Department in accordance with its priorities, reflecting the ongoing tension between the executive branch and career prosecutors.
