DOJ Faces Staffing Crisis as Prosecutors Quit Over Politicization

Recruitment ads demanding 'support for Trump agenda' drive away applicants, as DOJ offices across the country see mass departures

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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The Department of Justice is facing a staffing crisis as prosecutors quit in droves, citing the politicization of the department under the Trump administration. Recruitment ads now demand that applicants for federal prosecutor roles 'support President Trump and his anti-crime agenda', driving away many potential candidates. Meanwhile, DOJ offices across the country are seeing mass departures, with about a dozen prosecutors quitting in recent weeks after top officials meddled in their investigations.

Why it matters

The exodus of career prosecutors from the DOJ raises serious concerns about the department's ability to uphold the rule of law and carry out its duties in a nonpartisan manner. The politicization of the DOJ threatens to undermine public trust in the institution and its ability to administer justice fairly.

The details

The recruitment ads posted by Trump loyalists like Chad Mizelle, a former chief of staff to Attorney General Pam Bondi, have made it clear that the administration is seeking prosecutors who will 'execute [Trump's] agenda' rather than uphold their duty to the Constitution. This has prompted backlash from lawyers, who have criticized the ads as demanding 'political or ideological fealty' from federal prosecutors. Meanwhile, DOJ offices across the country are seeing an exodus, with about a dozen prosecutors quitting in recent weeks after top officials interfered in their investigations. Civil division lawyers are also buckling under a surge of emergency petitions filed by detained immigrants seeking release from custody.

  • The recruitment ads were posted by Mizelle last weekend.
  • About a dozen prosecutors have quit in recent weeks.

The players

Chad Mizelle

A former chief of staff to Attorney General Pam Bondi who posted a recruitment ad for federal prosecutors demanding support for President Trump and his 'anti-crime agenda'.

Pam Bondi

The former Attorney General of Florida who is close to Trump administration officials.

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What they’re saying

“If you are a lawyer, are interested in being an AUSA, and support President Trump and anti-crime agenda, DM me.”

— Chad Mizelle, Former Chief of Staff to Attorney General (New York Times)

“The first prosecution I would bring: a 34-time convicted felon and sex offender, currently stealing money from the government and running an extortion racket.”

— Jason P. Gottlieb, Attorney (New York Times)

“That is not the job of a prosecutor 'support President Trump.' So why are you following me? The answer is 'no.' I uphold the duty I was sworn to do and that is to the Constitution and not any president.”

— Anonymous Attorney (New York Times)

What’s next

The DOJ is facing a staffing crisis as prosecutors continue to quit, raising concerns about the department's ability to function effectively and uphold the rule of law. It remains to be seen whether the administration will be able to fill the vacant positions with prosecutors willing to 'execute [Trump's] agenda' rather than serve the public interest.

The takeaway

The politicization of the Department of Justice under the Trump administration has led to a mass exodus of career prosecutors, undermining the department's ability to administer justice in a nonpartisan manner. This crisis highlights the broader threat to democratic norms and institutions posed by the administration's efforts to bend the levers of government to serve its political interests.