Federal Judges Accuse DOJ of Widespread Political Misconduct

Federal judges have accused the United States Department of Justice of widespread misconduct during the second term of President Donald Trump. The allegations include the use of the legal system to harass political opponents and the submission of false statements to the courts. These claims coincide with a sharp decline in internal accountability, as staffing at the Office of Professional Responsibility dropped from 29 to 16 employees, leading to a 20-year low in new investigations during the 2025 fiscal year.

Internal watchdogs have been further weakened by the loss of 99 employees from the Office of the Inspector General since the end of the Biden administration. Former officials state that these staffing shortages and a climate of fear regarding political retribution have effectively sidelined oversight. Additionally, the administration has attempted to restrict state-level investigations into DOJ attorneys.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has faced specific judicial criticism regarding a collusive settlement in a tax lawsuit involving Donald Trump. While federal judges have raised these concerns, DOJ officials dispute the findings and describe the court rebukes as politically hostile. Other notable actions include an OPR probe and a separate criminal investigation into former DOJ prosecutor Jack Smith.