White House Orders Mass Firings Of Federal Prosecutors In Justice Department Shake-Up

The Trump administration has dismissed multiple U.S. attorneys across the country, a move that breaks with long-standing protocol and signals major changes at the Department of Justice. At least a dozen federal prosecutors were abruptly removed from their positions, with speculation that more terminations could follow.

Reports indicate that among those ousted were Tara McGrath, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California; Erek L. Barron of Maryland; Dena J. King of North Carolina; and Tessa Gorman, a court-appointed attorney in Washington state. All had served under the Biden administration and were either Senate-confirmed or appointed by the judiciary.

The terminations were reportedly delivered through letters from the Office of Presidential Personnel, bypassing the traditional Justice Department protocol. “At the direction of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as U.S. Attorney is terminated, effective immediately,” one letter read.

Historically, newly elected presidents have replaced politically appointed prosecutors, but they have typically done so through the Justice Department, allowing for an orderly transition. The direct involvement of the White House in these dismissals is a striking departure from that norm.

Since taking office, Trump has aggressively reshaped the DOJ, beginning with mass pardons for individuals convicted in January 6 cases. The administration has also scrutinized FBI personnel involved in those investigations, requesting lists of agents and attorneys who worked on Capitol-related cases.

The firings have raised alarms over their potential impact on ongoing federal prosecutions, particularly those tied to politically sensitive cases. The Justice Department has not released an official count of how many attorneys have been removed, leaving uncertainty over how widespread the shake-up will ultimately be.

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