Trump Administration Loses 10,000 Federal Lawyers Since 2025

More than 10,000 federal lawyers left the administration of Donald Trump between the end of 2024 and March 2026, representing a decrease of 17 to 20 percent of the civilian legal workforce. The exodus was most severe at the Department of Education, which lost 53 percent of its attorneys as the administration sought to close the agency. The Department of Justice experienced the largest raw decline with over 2,600 departures, including prosecutors who refused to indict the president's political enemies.

In contrast, the Department of Homeland Security increased its legal staff to manage a surge in litigation resulting from mass deportation plans. To combat the staffing shortage, the Justice Department has lowered hiring standards and offered $25,000 signing bonuses. Former Justice Department chief of staff Chad Mizelle further sought to fill vacancies by soliciting lawyers on X who support the president's anti-crime agenda.

President Trump defended the losses on Truth Social, characterizing the departing lawyers as deep state lunatics and asserting that many were fired. Meanwhile, departing attorneys have transitioned to private practice or offices of Democratic state attorneys general. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who hired 22 former federal lawyers, stated that the staff are seeking organizations that operate with integrity.