Career Justice Department officials reassigned to different positions: reports

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has reportedly made significant changes in its senior officials across various divisions in anticipation of the confirmation of President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. attorney general, Pam Bondi. According to reports from Fox News, multiple career staffers in the criminal and national security divisions at the DOJ have been reassigned from their current posts.

While it is challenging to terminate a career person outright, reassigning them is a viable option, and it seems to have occurred in this instance. One of the officials who have been moved to different positions within the DOJ is Bruce Schwartz, who heads the office of internal affairs responsible for handling extradition matters. Around 20 officials have reportedly been reassigned, as per a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity to The Associated Press.

Another senior official who has been reassigned is George Toscas, a seasoned deputy assistant attorney general in the national security division. Toscas played a crucial role in overseeing major terrorism and espionage investigations, as well as politically motivated probes over the past decade. He was involved in high-profile investigations such as Hillary Clinton’s handling of classified information and Trump’s possession of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago in Florida.

Toscas’ reassignment has been confirmed by sources familiar with the matter, indicating a significant shift in the leadership within the DOJ. Eun Young Choi, another deputy assistant attorney general in the national security division, has also been reassigned within the department, as reported by The Washington Post.

Following Trump’s inauguration, at least four senior officials were removed from the division responsible for operating the nation’s immigration courts, which are currently facing a backlog issue. The reasons behind these reassignments remain unclear, but it is common for a new administration to appoint its own hires to key positions within the DOJ.

James McHenry is currently serving as the acting U.S. attorney general after Merrick Garland’s departure from the department. With Bondi’s confirmation still pending, there is a 120-day moratorium on some staff reassignments after newly appointed leaders assume their roles, in accordance with federal guidelines.

These recent changes in senior officials at the DOJ could potentially signal further alterations in leadership under the new administration, especially considering Trump’s history with the department. The former president was under investigation during his first term and faced indictments that were later withdrawn after his re-election in November.

As the DOJ undergoes these significant shifts in personnel, the impact on ongoing investigations and operations remains to be seen. The department declined to comment on the recent reassignments, leaving many questions unanswered about the future direction of the DOJ under Pam Bondi’s potential leadership.