Long-serving officials within the U.S. Justice Department find themselves in unfamiliar roles as the administration enforces a sweeping immigration crackdown. These officials have been reassigned to newly created units dedicated to enforcing policies in sanctuary cities, marking a significant shift in departmental operations. Meanwhile, federal workers have received stern warnings of "adverse consequences" should they fail to report colleagues not complying with the administration's purge of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
In a bold move, career officials at the Department of Justice have faced termination, despite their civil service job protections. These dismissals come with claims that these individuals cannot be trusted with implementing the returning president’s agenda. This restructuring appears part of a broader revenge spree targeting high-profile figures who previously served the administration but later criticized or slighted it publicly.
Trump has not hesitated to use his social media platform to announce the firing of several prominent figures from government roles. In a controversial decision, he has also stripped 51 former intelligence officials of their security clearances due to their skepticism about reports concerning Hunter Biden’s laptop being potential Russian disinformation.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) also faces turmoil, with approximately 60 senior officials placed on leave. These officials stand accused of attempting to bypass the new administration’s directive to halt all aid operations on a global scale. Furthermore, the administration has revoked Secret Service protection for three senior national security officials from Trump's first term: John Bolton, Mike Pompeo, and Brian Hook.
An executive order titled "Ending the Weaponization of the Federal Government" has been described by some as “as clear a roadmap to retribution as you’ll ever see.” The order instructs the attorney general and director of national intelligence to investigate agencies involved in criminal probes of Trump following the 2020 elections.
Among those affected by this sweeping purge are lawyers linked to special prosecutor Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump’s efforts to overturn the 2020 election results and his unauthorized removal of classified documents from the White House. Federal employees remain "shell-shocked" by these drastic actions, with many drawing parallels between these tactics and those employed by totalitarian regimes historically opposed by the United States.
Joel Hirschhorn offered a stark comparison, stating:
“I saw Nixon, with his enemies list, which was a clear attempt to weaponize law enforcement against these detractors. But this one is mind boggling.”
The administration's actions also extend to approximately 30 government watchdogs known as inspectors general, whose role is to root out corruption and misconduct. These developments have raised significant concern among federal workers and observers alike.
Mark Bergman reflects the sentiment shared by many within the government:
“There’s certainly shell shock. My view is that Trump is animated by his revenge and retribution agenda.”
Federal employees are reportedly feeling intense pressure as they face reassignment or termination if they do not demonstrate alignment with the administration’s objectives. Bergman further elaborates on this situation:
“People are being moved reassigned, fired or otherwise [put] under pressure, if they are not able to say that they are mission-aligned, which is the phrase being used by the transition team to mean you will carry out the orders of the president regardless of whether they’re lawful or not.”
Trump has vocally criticized Jack Smith, labeling him "deranged" and suggesting he be deported, although experts note that Smith remains protected by "prosecutorial immunity." Hirschhorn dismisses threats against Smith as inconsequential:
“Unless they can show that he absolutely acted in bad faith, which is not the situation here, any threat against him is like a fart in a category five hurricane.”