Trump Issues Call to Dismiss Biden’s Chosen Attorneys

President Donald Trump orders the dismissal of all remaining Biden-appointed U.S. attorneys, citing unprecedented politicization of the Justice Department.

Key Takeaways

Trump directs the Justice Department to fire all remaining Biden-appointed U.S. attorneys, claiming the need to restore confidence in the justice system.
The White House has issued termination notices to multiple U.S. attorneys appointed by Biden, sparking resignations and controversy.
Trump’s administration has previously removed federal prosecutors involved in cases related to the January 6 Capitol riot and Mar-a-Lago raid.
Critics raise concerns about the potential politicization of the Justice Department and its impact on ongoing investigations.
Trump plans to replace the dismissed U.S. attorneys with his own nominees, subject to Senate approval.

Trump’s Call for “Immediate Clean House” at DOJ

In a 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. The directive, announced on Trump’s social media platform Truth Social, emphasizes what the former president sees as a critical need to address alleged politicization within the department.

Trump’s decision marks a departure from the typical transition process, where incoming administrations usually request resignations rather than issuing abrupt termination letters. The White House has already begun sending out notices to affected U.S. attorneys, leading to a wave of resignations and reassignments within the department.

🚨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

Accusations of Weaponization and Political Bias

Central to Trump’s rationale for this sweeping action is his claim that the Justice Department has been “weaponized” against him. Throughout his 2024 presidential campaign, Trump has consistently vowed to end what he perceives as political persecution by the DOJ. This latest move appears to be a direct fulfillment of that campaign promise.

“Over the past four years, the Department of Justice has been politicized like never before.” – President Donald Trump

The former president’s supporters argue that this action is necessary to restore impartiality to the justice system. Critics, however, warn that such a widespread dismissal could itself be seen as a politicization of the department, potentially compromising ongoing investigations and prosecutions.

Impact on High-Profile Cases and DOJ Structure

The ramifications of Trump’s order extend beyond just personnel changes. Several high-profile cases and investigations have been affected, including the dismissal of charges related to the January 6 Capitol riot and the halting of prosecutions initiated by special counsel Jack Smith. These actions have led to significant dissension within the DOJ, with at least 15 career officials being reassigned to less influential roles.

In a particularly controversial move, Trump ordered the DOJ to drop a corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. This decision led to the resignation of acting U.S. Attorney Danielle Sassoon and five other staffers, with Sassoon accusing the Justice Department of engaging in a “quid pro quo.”

Looking Ahead: New Appointments and Senate Approval

As the dust settles on this dramatic reshuffling, attention now turns to the process of filling these vacated positions. Trump has announced plans to replace the dismissed U.S. attorneys with his own nominees, a move that will require Senate approval. Among the new appointees are Judge Jason Reding, Judge Joseph Nocella Jr., and Jay Clayton, who are set to take on leadership roles within the DOJ.

The coming weeks and months will likely see intense scrutiny of these nominations, as well as continued debate over the long-term implications of such a sweeping change in the Justice Department’s leadership. As the legal community and political observers digest these developments, the impact on the American justice system and its perception among the public remains to be seen.