Attorney General
Justice Department unit defending Trump policies is losing nearly two-thirds of its lawyers, report says
President Donald Trump speaks at the Justice Department in Washington. (Pool via AP)
Sixty-nine out of about 110 lawyers who defend Trump administration policies at the Justice Department have voluntarily left or are planning to leave, according to a list reviewed by Reuters.
Reuters was able to confirm the departure of all but four of the lawyers on the list through court records and LinkedIn. The list of the departing lawyers, who work at the Federal Programs Branch, was compiled by former Justice Department lawyers.
Some lawyers in the unit had become exhausted and demoralized, according to seven unnamed lawyers who spoke with Reuters.
A Justice Department spokesperson said the unit is handling an “unprecedented number of lawsuits” challenging President Donald Trump’s agenda but did not comment on the departures or morale.
“The department has defeated many of these lawsuits all the way up to the Supreme Court and will continue to defend the president’s agenda to keep Americans safe,” the spokesperson said.
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