The Trump administration has dismissed over a dozen Justice Department officials linked to prosecutions against Donald Trump. Acting Attorney General James McHenry cited trust concerns as the reason. The shakeup includes reassignments and a new review of January 6 prosecutions, reflecting a shift in priorities under Trump’s leadership.
Officials Fired Over Trump Prosecutions
Trump Justice Department shakeup: The Justice Department under President Donald Trump has dismissed over a dozen officials involved in prosecuting him under special counsel Jack Smith. Acting Attorney General James McHenry confirmed the terminations in a statement on Monday.
According to McHenry, these officials could not be trusted to implement the President’s agenda due to their significant roles in prosecuting Trump. The dismissals follow Trump’s November 2024 election victory and his earlier pledge to remove Smith.
Smith led two high-profile cases against Trump that were dropped after his election. The first case alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election, while the second accused Trump of mishandling classified documents. Smith resigned earlier this month, ahead of Trump’s January inauguration. Before stepping down, he submitted a report asserting sufficient evidence to convict Trump in the election-interference case.
Reassignments Align Department with Administration
In addition to the firings, several Justice Department officials have been reassigned to align the department with Trump’s priorities, particularly on immigration. These changes reflect efforts to overhaul the department’s leadership and direction under the new administration.
Investigation Into Jan. 6 Prosecutions
Acting U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., Ed Martin, has launched a review of decisions made under the previous administration concerning Jan. 6-related prosecutions. According to reports, Martin referred to the felony obstruction charges against hundreds of individuals as a “failure.”
The Supreme Court ruled in June that obstruction charges required proof of intent to interfere with specific items used in the Jan. 6 proceedings, such as records or objects. This decision impacted over 355 defendants, though former Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized that no defendant faced only the obstruction charge.
On his first day back in office, Trump issued pardons for approximately 1,500 individuals with Jan. 6-related charges.
Shaping Justice Under the New Administration
These actions mark a significant shift in the Justice Department’s leadership and priorities under Trump’s administration. The moves suggest a focus on aligning the department’s operations with the President’s agenda while addressing high-profile cases from his previous term.
Trump Justice Department shakeup
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