Trump Administration Cleans House At Justice Department

Acting Attorney General James McHenry has dismissed over a dozen Justice Department officials tied to investigations into President Donald Trump, marking a significant change in the agency. The decision follows concerns about whether these individuals could align with the administration’s policies.

The firings were confirmed by a DOJ insider, who explained that McHenry sent letters to the employees notifying them of their removal. “These officials’ involvement in prosecuting the president has led to a loss of confidence in their ability to carry out the administration’s objectives,” the source said.

Jack Smith, who led the investigations as special counsel, was appointed in 2022 and oversaw probes into Trump’s handling of classified records and his conduct following the 2020 election. Both cases were dismissed after Trump’s election victory in 2024, and Smith resigned after completing his work.

On the same day as the firings, the acting U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., ordered a review of Jan. 6-related cases. This review focuses on obstruction charges brought against defendants, which the Supreme Court later ruled were improperly applied. Prosecutors involved in those cases must provide records for evaluation.

The Justice Department has also seen a reassignment of senior officials, including leaders in key divisions, as part of efforts to address perceived political bias. These moves coincide with an executive order signed by President Trump targeting politicized actions within federal agencies.

Smith’s team, which included prosecutors and investigators, was built to pursue charges against Trump. His final report claimed sufficient evidence to pursue convictions, though the cases were ultimately dismissed. Only part of the report has been released to the public, with additional volumes remaining under review.