U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi on Friday dismissed at least nine Justice Department employees who previously worked under Special Counsel Jack Smith on investigations into President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents and his role in efforts to overturn the 2020 election. This marks a continued internal purge of DOJ personnel tied to Trump-related cases, according to five sources familiar with the matter.
Among those fired were two prosecutors who had recently transferred to U.S. Attorney offices in Florida and North Carolina. The remaining seven staff were reportedly support personnel on Smith’s investigative team. These terminations follow Bondi’s broader effort to remove DOJ staff involved in cases against Trump or his allies since she assumed office on January 20, 2025.
On January 27, fourteen attorneys who worked with Smith were let go, making them among the earliest departures under the new administration. With Friday’s firings, the total number of dismissals linked to Smith’s team now stands at 26.
The Department of Justice has also removed employees who were involved in prosecuting individuals connected to the January 6 Capitol riot. In late June, two prosecutors and a supervisor—one involved in cases against the Proud Boys—were fired. Earlier this month, Bondi dismissed a longtime DOJ spokesperson based in Washington.
The trend suggests a systematic removal of officials associated with investigations into Trump or his supporters. Critics argue the actions threaten the department's independence, while supporters say the changes reflect a realignment under new leadership.
The DOJ has not issued a formal comment regarding the firings. The dismissals come amid heightened political tension surrounding Trump’s legal battles and ongoing scrutiny over the role of the Justice Department in politically sensitive cases.