Washington

Trump Reasserts Executive Control With Dozens of DOJ Firings

Justice Department staffers and inspectors general were given pink slips, reigniting a Constitutional debate.

Jan 31, 2025

Trump Reasserts Executive Control With Dozens of DOJ Firings

What’s happening: President Donald Trump is proceeding with his plans to reshape the Justice Department (DOJ) and government oversight. The president fired 17 inspectors general (IGs) — individuals who conduct oversight of executive branch offices — and over one dozen DOJ prosecutors who worked on Special Jack Smith’s case against Trump. One inspector general had to be physically removed from her office.

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Joy Carlson1 year ago

If you are the head of a department, you have the right to fire members of that department. Especially if they are likely to subvert your authority and work to undermine you.

Bonnie Hissom1 year ago

It seems a lot of problems occurred in his first term with “leftover” left-leaning government employees and officials. It sees he’s trying to make sure that doesn’t happen again and I agree with him.

Rich Henke1 year ago

No president should be forced by congress to continue employment of individuals who refuse to carry out their policies. There’s a reason why the constitution provides for separation of powers between the three branches of government. It appears that President Trump may be issuing many of his executive orders with the express intent that they will be challenged in court, forcing the Supreme Court to clarify the distinctions between the three branches of government. It’s time to return to a real system of checks and balances.

Kate Devaney1 year ago

The 30 day notice before being able to fire people who work at the office of the IG is ludicrous. The amount of damage that can be accomplished in 30 days by an officer as powerful and important as an Inspector General is dangerous for the country. Strip them from all accesses to property and influence of that office immediately upon their dismissal. After that, notify congress as, or if, lawfully required. If no crime has been committed, treat them fairly as with any other employment termination. If a crime has been committed, commence with the process of bringing charges.

Bernie Peer1 year ago

Crack me up, one had to be physically removed. I think that reeks of entitlement. Who does that when they get fired! I’m loving Trumps getting rid of the swamp.

Vicki Small1 year ago

I expected push-back on all of the firings, because I thought they were all considered civil servants. So he's getting push-back only as to the IG's. Interesting.

I am confronted with a major error in my understanding of the branches. I thought the DOJ was at the top, or near it, of the judicial branch. How can the Department of Justice come under the executive branch? I guess I should google a chart of the branches!

Kate Devaney1 year ago

President Trump was elected to clean house. Perhaps the most efficient way to accomplish this is to bump head on into the laws that the dirt in the DOJ will weaponize in their desperate attempts keep him from accomplishing that goal. We can only hope that Trump is ten steps ahead of these masters of law and justice manipulation, and keep close watch that we don't switch out one group of law breakers for another.