Ex-DOJ Officials Sue Bondi, Trump Over Firings

Three former Justice Department officials—Michael Gordon, Patricia Hartman, and Joseph Tirrell—have sued Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Trump administration, alleging unlawful terminations tied to their work on January 6 Capitol attack cases. The plaintiffs contend they were dismissed without cause, justification, or due process, despite strong performance reviews, receiving only brief termination letters. The lawsuit underscores that the Merit Systems Protection Board, which would normally handle such complaints, is currently unable to act due to a lack of quorum after its head was fired. The firings have sparked concerns among DOJ staff about political retaliation and the weakening of nonpartisan civil service protections. Legal experts for the plaintiffs warn these actions threaten the independence of federal workers and risk damaging U.S. democracy. Both the DOJ and White House have declined to comment on the litigation.