DOJ Employees Consider Resignation Amid Trump Transition

Following Donald Trump's reelection, anxiety has surged among career employees at the Department of Justice (DOJ), with many considering resigning as Trump loyalists prepare to implement a controversial agenda. Mark Paoletta, a lawyer on Trump's transition team, warned that DOJ staff who resist Trump's policies should resign or risk termination, citing a need for loyalty to the president's lawful agenda. Trump has threatened to fire Special Counsel Jack Smith and hinted at prosecuting political opponents, causing widespread concern about job security among DOJ attorneys. Reports indicate that many lawyers feel they may be replaced by partisan loyalists, undermining the integrity of a merit-based civil service. As Trump prepares to take office again, the atmosphere at the DOJ has become one of dread, with employees fearing for their positions and the future of the agency under potential political retribution. The situation reflects a broader apprehension about the implications of Trump's second term on the rule of law and the DOJ's nonpartisan mission.