Trump Administration Cleans House at Justice Department, Dismissing Lawyers Who Led Prosecutions Against Him

In a bold move that shakes up the Justice Department, the Trump administration has dismissed over a dozen lawyers responsible for prosecuting criminal cases against the former president. Acting Attorney General James McHenry, a Trump appointee, determined that these legal professionals “could not be trusted” to implement the president’s agenda, according to a department official. McHenry’s decision follows a growing pattern of actions aimed at exerting greater control over the federal institution.

The fired lawyers had worked closely with Special Counsel Jack Smith in the prosecution of Trump, which involved serious charges related to national security and election interference. Smith, who resigned earlier this month, had led the two federal cases against Trump, both of which were eventually dropped following the 2020 election.

The firings come on the heels of other significant personnel changes within the Justice Department, including the reassignment of key figures such as Bradley Weinsheimer, the department’s ethics chief, and Corey Amundson, a prominent corruption prosecutor. These shake-ups signal the administration’s determination to reassert its influence within federal law enforcement, particularly in the wake of ongoing investigations and scrutiny over Trump’s actions while out of office.

Meanwhile, Ed Martin, a Trump-appointed prosecutor, has initiated a review of felony obstruction charges linked to the January 6 Capitol attack. This review reflects the broader shift in the department as it reexamines legal strategies tied to high-profile political cases.

As these developments unfold, Trump and his allies continue to view the Justice Department with skepticism, especially after years of investigations and accusations directed at the former president. The growing tension between the White House and federal prosecutors underscores the increasingly fraught relationship between the executive branch and the judicial system.

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