Trump’s DOJ Purge Fires Career Prosecutors Tied to Jack Smith’s Investigation in Stunning Power Move

The Justice Department under former President Donald Trump has fired several career employees involved in special counsel Jack Smith’s investigation into Trump, reigniting accusations of political weaponization within the agency. Critics argue the move undermines the integrity of the DOJ, while Trump allies have long made similar claims against the Biden administration.

NBC News’s Ken Dilanian reported that the terminated employees held legally protected positions, raising questions about the legality of their dismissals. However, Dilanian expressed uncertainty about whether legal recourse would be effective. “The right-wing likes to accuse the DOJ of being weaponized under Merrick Garland and Joe Biden.

That was a farce,” said Dave Aaronberg, former Palm Beach County state attorney. “This is the weaponization of the Department of Justice. This is. The firing of career prosecutors who have protection under the law, because they didn’t like the case.”

Aaronberg accused the Trump-aligned DOJ of acting as “Trump’s own defense firm” rather than remaining loyal to “the evidence and the rule of law.” A DOJ spokesman defended the administration’s actions, stating its goals include “upholding the rule of law, ensuring the security of the American people, restoring the public’s trust in the justice system, and ending weaponization of government.”

Former federal prosecutor Harry Litman called the statement “the Orwellian quote of the week.” He described the firings as “the darkest day in the history of the DOJ,” adding, “The savage moves are a clusterbomb detonated against completely innocent and, in fact, estimable career prosecutors, who are the heart and soul of the Dept. There will be legal remedies, but that’s beside the point.”

Litman suggested the dismissals were intended to intimidate future prosecutors, particularly those overseeing Trump and his administration. “The purpose is to cow future prosecutors from doing their jobs, particularly insofar as it has anything to do with oversight of Trump and his administration,” he said.

Policy professor Don Moynihan of the University of Michigan’s Ford School noted the irony in Trump allies accusing the Biden administration of weaponizing the DOJ while engaging in similar tactics. “The very ‘accusation is a confession’ stuff is overdone, but it is an unmistakable theme in MAGA rhetoric: they engage in mass politicization or weaponization of government by arguing it is to correct politicization and weaponization. Muddies the waters and justifies extreme actions,” Moynihan said.

Sam Stein, speaking on The Bulwark, added, “One might argue, the firing of them is the weaponization of government. But, you know, details.”

The firings have sparked a fierce debate over the independence of the Justice Department and its role in upholding the rule of law. Critics warn that the dismissals set a dangerous precedent, eroding public trust in the agency and its ability to operate free from political interference. As the fallout continues, the incident underscores the deepening polarization surrounding the DOJ and its mission.