In a sweeping move, the Trump administration has fired more than a dozen Justice Department lawyers who worked on criminal cases against the president. Acting Attorney General James McHenry justified the decision by claiming the lawyers “could not be trusted to implement the president’s agenda” due to their involvement in prosecuting Trump. The firings, effective immediately, represent one of the administration’s most aggressive actions yet in reshaping the Justice Department.

Special counsel Jack Smith, who was appointed in 2022 to oversee the cases, resigned before Trump took office, avoiding the president’s promise to fire him “within two seconds.” The dismissed lawyers were part of Jack Smith’s team, which investigated Trump’s alleged mishandling of classified documents and his attempts to overturn his 2020 election defeat. Both investigations resulted in criminal charges against the former president, who pleaded not guilty. However, the cases were closed after Trump’s election victory in November, as Justice Department rules prohibit prosecuting a sitting president.

Trump, who has long accused the Justice Department of being biased against him, promised to overhaul the agency during his re-election campaign. His nominee for attorney general, Pam Bondi, has echoed these sentiments, calling the investigations into Trump “political persecution” and blaming the department for years of alleged partisanship.

Critics have strongly condemned the firings, arguing that they undermine the rule of law. Former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance called the decision “anti-democracy” and warned it could set a dangerous precedent for political interference in the justice system. The lawyers who were fired included career professionals with expertise in corruption and national security, many of whom had worked under multiple administrations.

This dramatic reshuffling of the Justice Department underscores Trump’s determination to reassert control over an agency he has frequently criticized. As his administration takes steps to solidify its agenda, the firings send a clear message: those who challenge Trump may find themselves out of a job. Critics fear this could further politicize the justice system, but for Trump and his supporters, it’s seen as a long-overdue cleanup.