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Last week, news rippled through Washington as Donald Trump’s nominee for the Department of Justice abruptly withdrew from consideration. Scrutiny over his alleged questionable relationships, including accusations involving minors, substances, and financial improprieties, led to a collective exhale from DOJ staff.
“That was a close call,” one federal prosecutor texted me shortly after Gaetz’s departure was announced. Another joked, “What luck we’ve had!” A former prosecutor expressed cautious optimism: “Perhaps the Republic still has a fighting chance.”
Across the capital, DOJ employees and their colleagues are left wishing for similar fortune. With Trump preparing to return to Washington, accompanied by a loyal entourage for his Cabinet, approximately 4.5 million federal employees brace for an unprecedented cultural shift—one that many believe could surpass the turmoil of Trump’s initial term eight years ago. Observers note that during his first presidency, Trump was somewhat limited by two main factors: his unfamiliarity with the true extent of presidential power and a team of traditional CEOs who, while cooperative, did not fully support his more radical aspirations. This time, however, Trump seems better informed about presidential authority and is enlisting a team of reality TV-esque figures who align with his goals of retribution and vengeance.
Trump is on track to form a Cabinet possibly lacking in experience, rife with controversies and questionable credentials. Many of the nominees are circumventing standard FBI background checks, instead being assessed based on their media presence and alignment with Trump’s preferences. It appears that charm and television appeal are prioritized over genuine expertise.
Consider Matt Gaetz, who was nominated swiftly but fell from grace even faster as Trump’s initial choice for Attorney General. Gaetz possesses limited legal experience and none in managing a large-scale organization. The situation was further complicated by ongoing investigations into his conduct by the department he was poised to lead, with an ethics report expected to reveal concerning details about his interactions with minors. Even his most fervent supporters anticipated trouble ahead. Within just eight days, Gaetz transitioned from Congressman to Cabinet contender to disgraced figure. Currently, Pam Bondi, a former Florida Attorney General known for her loyalty to Trump and her flirtation with election fraud theories, has stepped in as a less controversial interim choice.
Concerns about qualifications and temperament linger for other potential nominees, including Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The fallout from Gaetz’s withdrawal has only intensified frustrations among Senate Republicans, as Trump continues to nudge them toward accepting his increasingly unconventional selections.
Furthermore, the shake-up isn’t limited to top positions. Trump and his allies are eager to install loyalists throughout the federal ranks, which could facilitate sweeping changes across all levels of government. This includes a widely anticipated mandatory return-to-office policy that could lead to significant workforce reductions. Such a shift is viewed as an opportunity to redefine the federal workforce, potentially influencing employment practices in the private sector as well. Trump appears ready to show many federal employees the door if they have become too accustomed to remote work routines.
Federal workers—who constitute the largest group of employees under a single system in the country—find themselves largely at the mercy of their incoming leader, who has openly expressed disdain for career officials he deems disloyal or part of a so-called Deep State. The new wave of appointees is expected to enforce Trump’s directives vigorously.
For now, it seems that DOJ veterans have been spared the experience of working under an inexperienced leader whose main skill is currying favor with Trump. However, their counterparts across the federal landscape may not be as fortunate.
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