Democratic leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives have raised serious concerns following a wave of abrupt personnel changes within the Department of Justice (DOJ). These moves, which include the dismissal of key prosecutors and the reassignment of senior officials, have drawn sharp criticism for undermining institutional integrity and potentially violating federal laws.
Representatives Jamie Raskin and Gerald Connolly, ranking Democrats on the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees, respectively, have demanded answers from Acting Attorney General James McHenry. In a formal letter, they called for a detailed accounting of those affected by the changes, along with an explanation for the sudden disruptions.
The letter highlighted “widespread summary firing and involuntary reassignment” of skilled civil servants, alleging that the actions contradict prior commitments to merit-based employment. The Democrats also voiced concerns that these moves, initiated shortly after Donald Trump’s inauguration, appear to target officials involved in critical investigations.
Among the most notable developments, over a dozen prosecutors working on Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigations into Trump’s handling of classified documents and alleged election interference were terminated. Additionally, nearly two dozen senior DOJ officials, including the top public integrity prosecutor, have been reassigned to a newly formed “sanctuary city” working group.
These personnel changes have sparked resignations, with Public Integrity Section Chief Corey Amundson stepping down in protest. Meanwhile, Trump-appointed officials are reportedly scrutinizing the use of felony obstruction charges in cases linked to the January 6 Capitol attack.
Raskin and Connolly are also seeking transparency on whether the White House has probed the social media activity or political affiliations of career DOJ employees, raising concerns about potential partisan targeting.
As the reshuffling unfolds, the DOJ has remained silent, with no immediate comment from its spokesperson. Democrats warn that these moves threaten to destabilize the department, undermining its role as an independent arbiter of justice.
