Trump DOJ Fires Over 25 Staff Across January 6, Classified Docs Probes

The Trump administration, under Attorney General Pam Bondi, has dismissed at least 26 Justice Department employees involved in investigations related to President Trump, including those probing classified documents and the January 6 Capitol riot, raising concerns about political interference and judicial independence. Emil Bove, a top DOJ official and Trump nominee for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, has defended these firings, arguing that many dismissed prosecutors were probationary employees made permanent by the prior Biden administration, while condemning both illegal acts and perceived government overreach in Jan. 6 prosecutions. Bove faces significant backlash amid allegations from former DOJ lawyer Erez Reuveni, who claims Bove suggested defying federal court orders regarding immigration enforcement; however, the DOJ and Bondi have strongly denied these accusations, labeling Reuveni a disgruntled leaker engaged in a politically motivated smear. Reuveni was fired after apologizing to a judge for the wrongful deportation of a Salvadoran national, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a case that highlights tensions within the DOJ over immigration policies under Trump. Despite controversy, Bove's confirmation prospects have improved with some bipartisan support, though his nomination remains contentious due to the ongoing disputes over DOJ actions and legal ethics. The situation underscores deep divisions within the Justice Department under Trump’s leadership and the politicization of judicial appointments and law enforcement priorities.