US Justice Department fires officials involved in Trump investigations
The US Department of Justice (DoJ) announced on Monday the dismissal of over a dozen employees who played key roles in the criminal investigations into former President Donald Trump.

File Source: WHYY
The US Department of Justice (DoJ) announced on Monday the dismissal of over a dozen employees who played key roles in the criminal investigations into former President Donald Trump. The decision, effective immediately, underscores the administration’s drive to target those perceived as disloyal to Trump.
In a statement, Acting Attorney General James McHenry defended the move: “Today, Acting Attorney General James McHenry terminated the employment of a number of DoJ officials who played a significant role in prosecuting President Trump. In light of their actions, the Acting Attorney General does not trust these officials to assist in faithfully implementing the President’s agenda. This action is consistent with the mission of ending the weaponisation of government.”
The abrupt firings included career prosecutors who had worked under Special Counsel Jack Smith’s leadership. Traditionally, career prosecutors retain their positions across presidential administrations, even when involved in politically sensitive investigations. The action marks a stark departure from this precedent, further highlighting the ongoing turmoil within the Justice Department.
It remains unclear which specific prosecutors were affected or how many from the Trump investigations remain at the DoJ. Reports suggest some of the dismissed officials may challenge their terminations, citing violations of civil service protections afforded to federal employees.
The dismissals follow the recent resignation of Jack Smith, who earlier this month submitted a two-volume report on twin investigations into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election and his alleged hoarding of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. Jay Bratt, a lead prosecutor in the classified documents case, also retired from the department this month.
The firings signal a growing effort to realign the Justice Department’s personnel in line with the administration’s objectives while raising questions about the independence of federal prosecutors.