Mass Resignations Shake DOJ Office That Defended Trump Policies — What’s Going On?
Imagine working in an office where your job is to defend the actions of former presidents — no matter how controversial. Now, imagine that two-thirds of your team decide to pack up and leave. Sounds dramatic, right?
That’s exactly what’s happening inside a powerful unit of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). This legal team was responsible for defending policies put in place under Donald Trump — and recently, a big chunk of them have quit.
Why are so many lawyers leaving one of the government’s most important legal units? Let’s break it down in simple terms.
What Is the Federal Programs Branch, Anyway?
The unit at the center of all this is called the Federal Programs Branch (FPB). It’s a part of the DOJ’s Civil Division, also known as the legal team for the federal government.
Their job? Defend the federal government’s decisions and programs in court. If a new law or executive order gets challenged in court — this team steps up.
Under the Trump administration, that meant defending a number of highly debated policies, including immigration rules, asylum limits, and public health mandates like mask bans during COVID-19.
What’s the Big Deal About the Resignations?
Here’s where things get interesting — or concerning, depending on how you look at it.
Since President Joe Biden took office in 2021, more than two-thirds of the attorneys in this branch have left. That is not business as usual.
Here’s a quick look at the numbers:
| Time Period | Total Attorneys | Left the DOJ | % of Staff Left |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Biden (Approx. 2020) | 135 | — | — |
| 2021–2023 (Post-Biden) | 135 | 90 | ~67% |
This mass exodus isn’t just about finding new jobs. Some lawyers left for government roles elsewhere, while others returned to private practice. But the size and speed of the departures have raised eyebrows.
Why Are So Many Lawyers Leaving?
So, what’s going on behind the scenes?
Former members of the branch say a few things played into their decision:
- Trump-Era Controversies: Lawyers were often asked to defend policies they didn’t agree with — like the family separation policy, or efforts to remove protections for transgender students. That didn’t sit well with everyone.
- Long-Term Fatigue: Several attorneys say the Trump years took an emotional toll. Constant legal battles and political pressure left them feeling exhausted and conflicted.
- Biden-Era Workload: Ironically, the switch to a new administration hasn’t made life easier. Even with new leadership, the team still has to clean up or finish defending lawsuits linked to past Trump policies.
- Ethical Dilemmas: Some attorneys simply felt that defending certain policies crossed a moral line — especially when it involved people’s fundamental rights, like asylum seekers or immigrant families.
One anonymous attorney told reporters, “It’s hard to face yourself in the mirror when you’re defending a policy you find morally wrong — even if that’s your job.”
Are All Resignations About Politics?
Not necessarily. While many lawyers may have personal or political disagreements with certain policies, there are other factors at play, including:
- Better pay and flexibility in private law firms
- Desire to escape the high-stress environment
- Work-life balance, especially post-pandemic
But still — when you lose nearly 70% of your legal staff, it’s hard to ignore that something deeper might be happening.
What Does This Mean for the DOJ and the Country?
Let’s step back a bit. When top government lawyers leave in large numbers, it can slow down the legal process. Fewer people are available to defend U.S. policies in court. That might lead to delays, lost cases, or settlements that don’t hold up for long.
In short, the DOJ’s ability to enforce and defend federal laws weakens — and that affects all of us.
Think about it this way: If your town had just two firetrucks and one broke down — the fire department would struggle. That’s what it feels like when legal branches lose massive amounts of staff.
What’s the Government Doing About It?
The Biden administration has been careful not to make sweeping changes to the FPB. Legal experts say restoring damaged public trust takes time. But the DOJ has been trying to hire new lawyers and stabilize the branch.
Some see the turnover as an opportunity to reset — to build a legal team that reflects integrity, ethics, and public values. But rebuilding that kind of trust doesn’t happen overnight.
Why Should You Care?
It may seem like this is just another “Washington story,” but here’s why it matters to all Americans:
- Your rights are on the line: These lawyers defend or reject policies that impact immigration, healthcare, LGBTQ+ rights, and voting laws.
- Justice is only fair if it’s impartial: If political pressure sways legal decision-making, the balance tips away from fairness.
- Government accountability depends on lawyers who speak up: When public servants walk away from roles they believe are no longer ethical, it reveals deeper issues that must be addressed.
The Bigger Picture
At the heart of this story is a conflict between duty and values. Yes, government lawyers swear to uphold the law — but what happens when their work defends policies they see as unjust?
Quitting isn’t the easy way out. It’s often a last resort when an attorney feels they’re no longer part of the solution.
Final Thoughts
These mass resignations raise important questions about the health of our democracy, the role of public servants, and what we expect from the people who defend our laws.
Is it possible to separate law from politics completely? Should government attorneys be able to opt out of defending certain policies? And most importantly — what happens to the rule of law when those tasked with defending it begin to walk away?
One thing’s for sure: the Federal Programs Branch is at a crossroads. What happens next could have ripple effects far beyond the courtroom.
Let’s Talk
What are your thoughts on this major shake-up at the DOJ? Should government lawyers always defend policies — even ones they disagree with? Share your views in the comments below!
Keywords: DOJ resignations, federal programs branch, Trump policy legal defense, government lawyers leave DOJ, mass exodus law department, Trump-era legal challenges, DOJ ethics debate.