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The Trump administration on Friday fired at least three career Justice Department prosecutors involved in the criminal prosecutions stemming from the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack, a move that further deepens concerns over political interference and a growing effort to purge the department of perceived disloyalty, according to two people familiar with the matter.
Those dismissed include two supervisory attorneys overseeing January 6 prosecutions in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia and a line prosecutor actively involved in the cases. All three were notified of their termination effective immediately, through letters signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi, invoking only “Article II of the United States Constitution and the laws of the United States” without offering a specific reason.
A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment on the terminations when contacted Friday evening.
Part of a Larger Pattern
The firings are the latest in a series of norm-breaking personnel actions within the DOJ under President Trump’s second term, which critics say aim to dismantle the independence of the department and restructure it into a political tool.
In recent months, the Trump administration has taken action against multiple prosecutors who were involved in high-profile Capitol riot cases, particularly those who helped secure convictions against members of far-right extremist groups, such as Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes and former Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio on seditious conspiracy charges.
“This is nothing short of a political purge,” said a former senior DOJ official speaking anonymously. “The message is clear: prosecute Trump supporters, and you could lose your job.”
Retaliation or Restructuring?
The removals follow Trump’s sweeping pardons of all individuals convicted in connection with the Jan. 6 insurrection. Among those released were dozens convicted of assaulting law enforcement officers and organizing violent plots to disrupt the certification of President Joe Biden’s 2020 election win.
The firings on Friday come after interim U.S. Attorney Ed Martin, appointed in February, demoted several key prosecutors who had been leading the Capitol Siege Section. Among them was the lead attorney in the seditious conspiracy case against the Oath Keepers.
In January, acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove fired approximately two dozen prosecutors who were originally assigned to Capitol riot cases on a temporary basis but had since transitioned to permanent roles. At the time, Bove cited a need to eliminate what he called “subversive personnel actions by the previous administration.”
Legal and Ethical Questions Raised
The use of Article II powers to fire civil service employees — especially without explanation — raises significant legal and ethical concerns, according to government accountability experts.
“These are not political appointees,” said Kathleen Clark, a law professor at Washington University in St. Louis. “Career prosecutors are supposed to be protected from political retaliation. This looks like a clear violation of those principles.”
Government watchdogs and members of Congress have warned that the firings could have a chilling effect on DOJ attorneys nationwide and could erode public trust in the impartiality of the justice system.
“This kind of retaliation undermines the rule of law,” said Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) in a statement. “We need immediate oversight hearings and legislation to reinforce protections for federal employees.”
What Happens Next
So far, no formal statement has been issued by Attorney General Bondi or the White House regarding the specific reasons for the terminations. The DOJ’s Office of the Inspector General has not announced any investigations into the personnel decisions.
Civil rights groups and former DOJ officials have already begun calling for whistleblower protections and potential lawsuits challenging the dismissals.
If unchallenged, the move could mark a significant shift in the Justice Department’s structure — prioritizing political loyalty over independence.
“This isn’t just about the Jan. 6 prosecutions,” warned a former DOJ official. “It’s about whether the law is applied equally — or only when it suits those in power.”
