Resignations and firings have depleted the FBI and Justice Department. They’re scrambling to rebuild

The FBI and Justice Department are working to rebuild their depleted workforces following a wave of resignations and firings over the past year. To address staffing shortages, the FBI has eased hiring requirements, utilizing social media recruitment and offering abbreviated training programs. The Justice Department is now hiring prosecutors directly from law school to fill vacancies in U.S. attorney's offices. These changes are driven by retirements, resignations related to concerns about politicization during the Trump administration, and the dismissal of employees perceived as disloyal. Some current and former officials express concern that these measures represent a lowering of standards within the agencies.

Following Pam Bondi's firing, Donald Trump seeks to prioritize using the Justice Department to pursue retribution against political rivals. He reportedly pressured Bondi for months to prosecute figures like James Comey, Letitia James, and Adam Schiff, and was angered by the lack of progress. Harmeet Dhillon, currently the assistant attorney general for civil rights, is a leading candidate to spearhead this effort. Dhillon has a history of controversial statements and has shifted the Civil Rights Division's focus away from protecting minorities, leading to numerous attorney departures. Critics, including her predecessor Kristen Clarke, say the division has abandoned its mission and left many Americans vulnerable to discrimination.