Firings at Justice Department create fear among career lawyers
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- Michael Ben’Ary, a veteran Justice Department prosecutor involved in high-profile counterterrorism cases, was abruptly fired without explanation shortly after a right-wing commentator falsely accused him of political bias.
- Since Attorney General Pam Bondi took office, the Justice Department has seen a significant wave of firings and resignations of experienced career attorneys, including those handling sensitive cases related to the Capitol riot, civil rights, and public integrity.
- Over 230 DOJ employees were reportedly fired last year, many without clear reasons, leading to concerns about the politicization of the department and loss of institutional knowledge amid Trump's demands to prosecute political opponents.
- The departures have caused staffing shortages and case backlogs, with some inexperienced appointees replacing seasoned prosecutors, resulting in legal
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