Pam Bondi Ousts DOJ Staff Linked To Trump’s Cases/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Attorney General Pam Bondi has fired over 20 Justice Department staffers who worked on investigations into Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents and the January 6 Capitol riot. The dismissals are part of a broader purge led by Bondi’s “Weaponization Working Group.” The controversial firings have fueled criticism that Bondi is politicizing the DOJ under Trump’s administration.
Bondi Ousts DOJ Staff Linked To Trump Cases: Quick Looks
- Major Purge: Bondi fires more than 20 DOJ employees linked to Trump cases.
- Broader Sweep: Total firings related to Special Counsel Smith now around 35.
- Weaponization Review: Bondi’s working group identifies staff for removal.
- Political Backlash: Critics call Bondi Trump’s “hatchet woman” at DOJ.
- Internal Delays: Epstein controversy postponed initial firing plans.
- Remaining Staff At Risk: Up to 15-17 more could be dismissed.
- High Stakes: Firings target staff from Jan. 6 and classified documents probes.
- Bondi’s Defense: Says purges remove politically motivated prosecutors.
Pam Bondi Ousts DOJ Staff Linked To Trump’s Cases
Deep Look
Attorney General Pam Bondi has fired more than 20 Justice Department employees who previously worked on investigations involving the January 6 Capitol riot and Donald Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents, sources have told Axios.
The sweeping action represents the latest and most significant move in Bondi’s effort to purge the DOJ of individuals connected to Special Counsel Jack Smith’s prosecutions—cases that have loomed large over Trump’s presidency and post-presidency political ambitions.
Purge Grows Amid Internal Tensions
With the latest dismissals, the number of employees removed from the Justice Department for their involvement in Special Counsel Smith’s investigations has risen to around 35, according to officials familiar with the matter. Sources suggest that as many as 15 to 17 more employees remain under review and could be terminated in the coming weeks.
The firings include attorneys, support staff, and even U.S. marshals spread across DOJ offices in Washington, Virginia, Florida, and other parts of the country.
“Some of these people were burrowed deep, and we’re finding them and making a determination,” said one administration official. “We’re reviewing and making sure.”
Weaponization Working Group
The dismissals were orchestrated by Bondi’s so-called “Weaponization Working Group,” which she formed soon after taking office earlier this year. The group’s mission is to root out what Bondi has described as entrenched political bias among DOJ employees who were involved in investigations she believes unfairly targeted Trump.
In several cases, the fired staffers had volunteered to assist in prosecuting or investigating Trump, heightening concerns among critics that the removals are politically motivated retribution.
Delays Linked To Epstein Fallout
Interestingly, the mass terminations were initially slated for earlier this week. However, the timing was pushed back as the Trump administration grappled with fallout from its bombshell announcement concerning Jeffrey Epstein.
Earlier this week, the administration declared that Epstein never possessed a celebrity “client list” and reiterated that his 2019 death in a New York jail was ruled a suicide—a conclusion rejected by many Trump-aligned influencers who continue to push conspiracy theories.
That announcement blindsided portions of the MAGA base, some of whom had long expected Trump and Bondi to reveal explosive secrets from Epstein-related government files. The backlash spilled over into internal rifts at the DOJ.
One significant confrontation reportedly erupted between Bondi and FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, a prominent conservative figure who previously promoted Epstein conspiracy theories. Bongino was said to be deeply dissatisfied with how Bondi handled the Epstein revelations.
Deputy Attorney General Pumps Brakes
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, another key figure in the Trump-era DOJ, played a crucial role in delaying the firings, according to sources. Blanche was reportedly cautious and sought to ensure that dismissals would only affect staffers who he believed were incompatible with the Trump administration’s objectives.
“Todd wanted to be sure this was not a blanket purge but was targeting the right people,” said one person familiar with internal discussions.
Political Fallout and Criticism
Bondi’s actions have sparked intense political debate. Critics, including Democrats and civil liberties advocates, have long predicted that she would act as Trump’s “hatchet woman” at the Justice Department, purging officials seen as obstacles to Trump’s agenda or adversaries in ongoing legal cases.
Bondi, however, has defended the firings, arguing that many of the DOJ staffers she’s dismissed were politically motivated in their pursuit of cases against Trump. She has characterized her mission as restoring fairness and removing “partisan actors” from the justice system.
“We cannot have a Justice Department run by people who use their positions to settle political scores,” Bondi told a Senate panel last month.
Impact On Ongoing Investigations
While Bondi’s purge has drawn considerable public attention, legal analysts warn it could also have broader implications for ongoing investigations tied to the events of January 6, 2021, and the classified documents probe involving Trump.
Some experts fear that removing seasoned prosecutors and support staff could disrupt active cases or undermine the integrity of previous prosecutions.
“Even if these people were reassigned or sidelined, firing so many at once creates institutional chaos,” said one former DOJ official. “You lose institutional memory, continuity, and expertise.”
Scope of the Firings
Sources familiar with the DOJ’s internal processes indicate that the initial list of targets for termination could expand as Bondi’s Weaponization Working Group continues its investigations.
So far, the DOJ’s purge has affected:
- Lawyers directly involved in filing or arguing Trump-related cases.
- Support staff who provided logistical and research support for investigations.
- U.S. Marshals tasked with security and operational support during high-profile trials or proceedings linked to Trump’s legal troubles.
Bondi’s review process appears far from over. One administration insider noted that her team is scrutinizing communications, assignments, and internal documents to identify employees they believe displayed political bias.
Looking Ahead
As Trump prepares for a potential second term—and as the political stakes remain sky-high—the reshaping of the Justice Department under Bondi underscores how deeply Trump loyalists are attempting to recast federal institutions in the aftermath of years of politically charged investigations.
Bondi, meanwhile, remains firm in her stance:
“My job is to ensure that the Department of Justice serves the American people, not political factions,” she said during her recent testimony before Congress.
Whether that view will assuage critics—or only inflame accusations of political revenge—remains an open question as the DOJ grapples with the consequences of this historic purge.
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