Justice Department Struggles to Recruit Prosecutors

[applegrove]

Justice Department Struggles to Recruit Prosecutors

February 7, 2026 at 6:28 am EST By Taegan Goddard 53 Comments

https://politicalwire.com/2026/02/07/justice-department-struggles-to-recruit-prosecutors/

New York Times: “The intermingling of law enforcement and political goals has made the department, long a magnet for platinum legal talent, an unappealing landing spot.”

“The number of applications is down significantly from previous years, officials said, even as Trump loyalists have publicized vacancies through official and unconventional channels. Some of those applying are generally not as qualified as those who sought the position in the recent past.”

[Ocelot II]

1. A job as a federal prosecutor was once very desirable.

Eons ago as a recent law school grad I applied for an opening in the US Attorney's office in Minneapolis (from which people have lately been quitting in droves, see the gory details here: https://www.twincities.com/2026/02/07/prosecutors-began-investigating-renee-goods-killing-washington-told-them-to-stop/?share=hanoritansesw2ctoeii). I didn't get the job, but I did get an interview, which I considered at the time to be something of a prize anyhow. If I had ended up there I'd be retired by now, fortunately. Right now that office is almost completely paralyzed because so many people have quit. Which means that all the other federal crimes aren't being prosecuted.

[applegrove]

3. You have to wonder if slowing down justice isn't a goal of Trump.

[Volaris]

4. 'First thing, lets kill all the lawyers.'

By exhaustion, apparently.

[struggle4progress]

2. "Must be able to use AI to write bogus briefs against Democrats"

[JoseBalow]

5. They spelled "co-conspirators" wrong