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By Andrew Stanton and Gabe Whisnant
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The Justice Department (DOJ) fired over a dozen officials who worked on special counsel Jack Smith's two cases against President Donald Trump, which included charges of election interference in the 2020 race and mishandling classified documents, according to reports Monday.
It was not immediately clear which DOJ officials were fired or who would replace them.
Newsweek reached out to the White House for comment via email.
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Why It Matters
Trump had accused Smith and President Joe Biden's DOJ of targeting him politically in the two federal probes. One concerned Trump's actions related to the January 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol and his attempts to overturn the 2020 election. The other looked into whether he mishandled classified documents found at his Florida residence after he left the White House. Both cases were dropped by Smith after Trump's victory this past November.
Monday's DOJ firings come amid staff changes in the federal government that could result in its ranks stacked with Trump loyalists. This past Friday, Trump fired several inspector generals from more than a dozen federal agencies, and he has pushed for agencies to fire more federal workers.
What To Know
Acting Attorney General James McHenry said the fired officials could not be trusted to "faithfully implement the president's agenda," according to reports by Fox News and Reuters.
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A DOJ official told Fox that "today, McHenry terminated the employment of several officials who played a significant role in prosecuting President Trump," adding that the action is "consistent with the mission of ending the weaponization of government."
During his campaign, Trump said he planned to end the "weaponization" of the federal government against conservatives.
Smith was appointed by former Attorney General Merrick Garland to oversee the two Trump cases in November 2022. He resigned from the DOJ earlier this month after dropping all prosecutions against Trump, who Trump pleaded not guilty in both cases.
What People Are Saying
Commentator Brian Krassenstein said on X (formerly Twitter): "BREAKING: At least 12 DOJ officials who assisted Special Counsel Jack Smith, have just been fired by Trump officials. Fired for doing the jobs they were asked to do to uphold the law. These are the actions of a dictator, not a President."
Senator Eric Schmitt, a Missouri Republican, said on X: "Good. Every single one of them should be fired."
What Happens Next
Trump has nominated Pam Bondi, a former attorney general in Florida, to head the DOJ as the nation's next attorney general. She is expected to change the agency's direction so it is more in line with Trump's agenda.
The Senate Judiciary Committee is expected to vote Wednesday on whether her nomination should be advanced*.* This sets her up for a Senate vote at a later date. At this point, no Republican senators have signaled that they plan to vote against her.
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