President Trump has begun a sweeping overhaul of the Justice Department, removing Biden-appointed U.S. attorneys who have been holdovers from the previous administration. These firings are part of Trump’s effort to reshape the department, which he believes has been weaponized against him.
According to ABC News, the White House sent termination letters to multiple Biden-appointed U.S. attorneys on Wednesday, informing them that their positions had been revoked “effective immediately.” The orders, issued by the deputy director of the White House’s Office of Presidential Personnel, Sergio Gor, bypassed the typical process in which such decisions are made by the Attorney General.
“At the direction of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as U.S. Attorney is terminated, effective immediately,” the email reportedly stated, according to Reuters.
This move marks a departure from the past practice of having the Attorney General handle such dismissals. In 2017, then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions requested the resignations of Obama-appointed U.S. attorneys, allowing for a more traditional transition. However, this time, Trump has opted for a direct and immediate approach, ensuring that the removals happen swiftly.
The number of U.S. attorneys fired so far remains unclear, as some Biden appointees had already voluntarily resigned in December and January, according to Bloomberg Law.
Among those departing is Erek Barron, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland, who sent out a farewell email to colleagues after the terminations were announced. In the email, which was obtained by Reuters, Barron expressed gratitude for his time leading the office.
“As many of you may know by now, my time with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland has come to an end,” Barron wrote. “It has been an honor to lead such a talented and dedicated team.”
One of the dismissals reportedly affected a career prosecutor who had been court-appointed as a U.S. attorney, further underscoring the scope of Trump’s restructuring efforts.
The move signals Trump’s determination to reshape the Justice Department and remove officials he sees as obstacles to his agenda. With Biden holdovers removed, Trump is expected to install officials who will prioritize issues such as cracking down on illegal immigration and reorienting the Justice Department’s focus.
By swiftly clearing out many of the remaining Biden appointees, Trump is advancing his vision of a Justice Department that reflects his administration’s priorities and aligns with his broader goal of reshaping federal agencies to better serve the American people.