
President Donald Trump orders the dismissal of all remaining Biden-appointed U.S. attorneys, citing an urgent need to restore confidence in the justice system.
Quick Takes
- Trump directs Justice Department to fire all remaining Biden-era U.S. attorneys.
- Calls for immediate “clean house” to restore confidence in the justice system.
- Move comes amid Trump’s claims of DOJ “weaponization” under Biden administration.
- Several Biden-appointed U.S. attorneys have already resigned or left government.
- Trump plans to replace dismissed attorneys with his own nominees, pending Senate approval.
Trump’s Call for Immediate Action
In a bold move that has sent shockwaves through the legal community, President Donald Trump has ordered the Justice Department to dismiss all remaining U.S. attorneys appointed during the Biden administration. This directive, announced on Trump’s Truth Social platform, underscores the president’s commitment to what he describes as depoliticizing federal legal institutions.
Trump’s decision comes as part of his broader strategy during his 2024 presidential term, where he has vowed to address what he perceives as unprecedented politicization within the Department of Justice. The president’s supporters view this action as a necessary step to restore integrity to the justice system, while critics raise concerns about potential political interference in ongoing legal matters.
🚨President Trump has instructed AG Pam Bondi to fire all Biden Era US Attorneys
He is cleaning house pic.twitter.com/i0RtoCfeVt
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) February 18, 2025
Unprecedented Termination of U.S. Attorneys
Typically, incoming administrations request resignations from U.S. attorneys rather than issuing abrupt termination letters. However, the Trump administration has taken a more direct approach. The White House has issued termination notices to multiple U.S. attorneys appointed by Biden, signaling a decisive break from past practices.
“Over the past four years, the Department of Justice has been politicized like never before.” – President Donald Trump
This statement from President Trump encapsulates his administration’s justification for the sweeping dismissals. The president has consistently campaigned on ending what he calls the Justice Department’s “weaponization” against him, and this move appears to be a concrete step toward fulfilling that promise.
Implications for Ongoing Cases and Department Morale
The sudden dismissal of Biden-era U.S. attorneys has significant implications for ongoing cases and department morale. Several Biden-appointed U.S. attorneys have already resigned, while others left the government earlier. This exodus of experienced legal professionals raises questions about the continuity of ongoing investigations and prosecutions.
Critics have raised concerns about the DOJ’s actions, including a directive to review the federal prosecution of Trump. The president’s plan to replace dismissed U.S. attorneys with his nominees, subject to Senate approval, has further intensified the debate over the balance between political appointments and judicial independence.
Reshaping the Department of Justice
Trump’s administration has already taken steps to reshape the Department of Justice. At least 15 career officials were reassigned to less influential roles, including one involved in the FBI raid of Mar-a-Lago. The DOJ also removed officials involved in special counsel Jack Smith’s prosecutions of Trump, which were subsequently dismissed by federal judges.
The president has appointed new members to lead the DOJ, including Judge Jason Reding, Judge Joseph Nocella Jr., and Jay Clayton. Edward Martin, who dismissed pending Jan. 6 cases, was nominated as the U.S. attorney in Washington, DC. These appointments signal a significant shift in the department’s leadership and potentially its priorities.
As the Trump administration moves forward with its plans to overhaul the Justice Department, the impact on ongoing investigations and the broader legal landscape remains to be seen. The president’s supporters argue that these changes are necessary to restore faith in the justice system, while critics warn of potential threats to the independence of federal prosecutors.
Sources:
- Trump Orders DOJ to Fire All Remaining Biden-Appointed US Attorneys
- Trump orders DOJ to terminate all remaining ‘Biden Era’ US attorneys: ‘We must clean house’
- Trump orders all Biden-era US attorneys to be fired: ‘We must clean house immediately’