Democratic leaders in the House of Representatives are raising concerns about the Justice Department's recent dismissal of over a dozen officials linked to former Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigation. In a letter to Acting Attorney General James McHenry, House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and House Oversight Committee Ranking Member Gerald Connolly (D-MA) expressed alarm, characterizing the firings as a stark departure from President Trump's stated commitment to a merit-based system for government employees.
The Representatives argue that the dismissed officials, who were integral to the prosecution of President Trump, were removed without any performance evaluation. They emphasize the officials' extensive experience and service under both Republican and Democratic administrations, highlighting their contributions to national security and public safety. Raskin and Connolly contend that these dismissals disregard the officials' proven competence and dedicated service, potentially violating established federal laws. Furthermore, they raise concerns about the reassignment of some officials to areas outside their legal expertise.
The letter also addresses reports of White House involvement in these personnel decisions, alleging scrutiny of career civil servants' social media profiles to determine their political leanings. The Representatives express apprehension that these actions point to an effort to prioritize personal loyalty to President Trump over qualifications within the DOJ and FBI. They demand a list of all reassigned or terminated officials and any communications between the DOJ and the White House concerning the social media activity of DOJ employees or applicants since Inauguration Day.
This follows Monday's news, initially reported by Fox News Digital, that Acting Attorney General McHenry dismissed numerous officials involved in President Trump's prosecution, citing a lack of trust in their ability to support the President's agenda. A DOJ official stated that this action aligns with the goal of “ending the weaponization of government.”
The Democrats have set a deadline of February 11th for the DOJ to provide the requested information.
