Trump administration dismisses officials involved in his investigations “`

The dismissals were justified by a lack of confidence in these individuals’ ability to execute the president’s policies.

Over a dozen US Department of Justice officials involved in criminal probes of President Donald Trump have been terminated. Acting Attorney General James McHenry ordered the dismissals, effective Monday, citing a lack of faith in their capacity to advance the president’s agenda.

This included prosecutors who worked under Special Counsel Jack Smith, who previously investigated Trump’s handling of classified materials and alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election. Both investigations resulted in criminal charges against Trump, who pleaded not guilty. However, these cases were closed following Trump’s November election victory due to Justice Department rules prohibiting the prosecution of a sitting president.

Smith, appointed in 2022 to lead the Justice Department’s Trump investigations, resigned before Trump’s inauguration, despite Trump’s campaign promise to fire him immediately. The dismissals follow Trump’s repeated criticism of the Justice Department, which he has accused of being unfairly targeted against him and his associates.

Critics have condemned the firings as an attack on the Justice Department’s independence. Former US Attorney Joyce Vance labeled the action “anti-rule of law” and a threat to democracy.

Conversely, supporters maintain the administration has the right to appoint officials aligned with its policy objectives. Trump’s attorney general nominee, Pam Bondi, has echoed his assertions of politically motivated investigations, characterizing the Justice Department as having been “weaponized for years.”

Many of the dismissed prosecutors were career officials specializing in corruption and national security. A department official informed CBS News that their involvement in prosecuting Trump rendered them unsuitable for their positions.

This action is part of a broader reshuffling within the Justice Department. Numerous senior officials have been reassigned, with some joining a new task force focused on enforcing immigration laws against sanctuary cities. Meanwhile, acting US Attorney Edward Martin announced an internal review of the previous administration’s indictments against hundreds of Trump supporters involved in the January 6 Capitol protests.