The Trump administration has dismissed more than a dozen Justice Department lawyers who had been involved in past investigations against the president. The decision, announced on January 27, 2025, was carried out under the direction of Acting Attorney General James McHenry, who cited concerns about their ability to align with the administration’s agenda.
The dismissed officials were members of the prosecutorial team led by former Special Counsel Jack Smith, who had overseen investigations into Trump’s handling of classified documents and his attempts to challenge the results of the 2020 election. Both cases resulted in criminal charges, with Trump maintaining his innocence throughout. However, after winning reelection in November 2024, the charges were dismissed, as longstanding Justice Department guidelines prohibit prosecuting a sitting president.
Smith had resigned earlier in January, ahead of Trump’s inauguration. His team included career prosecutors specializing in corruption and national security cases. While the Justice Department has not disclosed the full list of those removed, reports suggest that key figures such as Molly Gaston, J.P. Cooney, Anne McNamara, and Mary Dohrmann were among those let go.
The affected lawyers reportedly received letters on Monday informing them of their terminations. The correspondence cited their involvement in the cases against Trump as the reason for their dismissal, asserting that the administration no longer had confidence in their ability to implement policy objectives. This move follows a broader restructuring within the Justice Department, which has already seen the reassignment of senior officials with expertise in high-profile prosecutions.
The decision has drawn strong reactions from legal experts and former officials. Critics argue that removing prosecutors based on their previous assignments undermines judicial independence and could deter future investigations involving political figures. Former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance described the move as damaging to the integrity of the legal system, warning that such actions could have lasting consequences.
The administration’s decision is consistent with Trump’s long-standing criticism of the Justice Department, which he has accused of targeting him for political reasons. On his first day back in office, Trump signed an executive order aimed at curbing what he describes as the misuse of federal agencies for political purposes. The order directs federal officials to identify and address any perceived partisan influence in government operations.
Beyond the Justice Department, the administration is also reassessing past prosecutions related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Acting U.S. Attorney Edward Martin has initiated an internal review of obstruction charges brought against more than 200 defendants. This comes after the Supreme Court raised the legal standard for such charges, leading to dismissals in several cases.
Legal analysts anticipate that some of the dismissed prosecutors may challenge their terminations before the Merit Systems Protection Board, which oversees employment disputes involving federal workers. Federal employment laws generally require a structured disciplinary process, including formal warnings and opportunities for appeal.
Trump’s decision to remove these officials marks a strategic shift in his approach to the Justice Department, reinforcing his belief that past investigations were unfairly conducted. His administration is expected to continue reshaping federal agencies in a manner that reflects his policy priorities.
Despite criticism, Trump and his allies defend the move as a necessary step in ensuring that the Justice Department operates in alignment with his administration’s objectives. However, concerns persist over whether these actions will affect the long-term perception of the department’s independence and its ability to conduct investigations without political interference.
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