The Trump administration has initiated a sweeping dismissal of US attorneys appointed during the Biden presidency, marking a significant escalation in its approach to reshaping the justice system. Donald Trump ordered the termination of all "Biden Era" US attorneys, dispatching abrupt one-sentence emails from the White House that immediately cut off the attorneys' access to government phones and computers. This aggressive move is part of a broader strategy prioritizing a crackdown on illegal immigration and aligning with the administration's political agenda.
The dismissals came to light through actions taken by Emil Bove, the deputy attorney general, who played a central role in pushing through the dismissal of a corruption case against New York City mayor Eric Adams. The case is pending review by Trump's yet-to-be-confirmed pick for the US attorney's office in Manhattan. Bove's memo argued that assisting a mayor who supports deporting undocumented immigrants takes precedence over pursuing criminal charges, highlighting a shift in prosecutorial priorities.
Traditionally, the replacement of US attorneys following a change in administration is expected; however, the Trump administration's approach has been notably assertive. Termination notices were often sent to internal email addresses that only accept messages from other justice department employees, creating confusion and disconnect for some attorneys who found themselves without access to their communication tools before receiving official clarification.
The White House, through its presidential personnel office, has been instrumental in executing these firings. This aligns with efforts by Trump's attorney general, Pam Bondi, and Emil Bove to promote the unitary executive theory. This theory posits that the president should have direct control over all cabinet-level agencies, further consolidating executive power.
Despite this aggressive push, the Senate has not yet confirmed Trump's nominee to lead the US attorney's office in Manhattan, leaving a pivotal position unfilled as the justice department moves forward with implementing the administration's directives. The rapid and sweeping nature of these dismissals underscores Trump's intent to swiftly align federal prosecutorial efforts with his administration's priorities.