Trump’s transition team adviser, Mark Paoletta, issues a stern warning to DOJ attorneys to align with the President-elect’s agenda or face consequences.
At a Glance
- Mark Paoletta warns DOJ attorneys against sabotaging Trump’s agenda.
- Paoletta emphasizes the legal duty to align with presidential policies.
- Resistance from career staff seen as detrimental to democratic order.
- Trump hasn’t selected a new DOJ head while seeking institutional changes.
Warning for DOJ Career Attorneys
Mark Paoletta, a trusted adviser on Trump’s transition team, clearly stated that DOJ career attorneys not committed to the President-elect’s agenda should either step down or anticipate being dismissed. This directive reflects Trump’s efforts to ensure that his administration’s policies are fully endorsed and implemented by federal legal officials. Paoletta stressed that past resistance within the DOJ undermined democratic processes and hindered policy goals.
Career attorneys are being called upon to align their actions with the President’s objectives, covering initiatives like ending race-based affirmative action and securing national borders. Paoletta argued these priorities must be carried out with full dedication from DOJ staff without any obstruction. Such directives specifically address instances from Trump’s first term where DOJ resistance was perceived.
Aligning with Presidential Policies
Paoletta underscored the necessity for adherence to presidential policies within legal bounds. He pointed out that DOJ lawyers have a duty to support these goals rather than impose personal interpretations on the law. Examples include cases of alleged sabotage during Trump’s first term, such as the DOJ’s actions regarding racial discrimination at Yale and nursing home death investigations in New York.
Paoletta emphasized that any refusal by DOJ career attorneys to implement policies directly challenges the rule of law and subverts democratic order. Advocating for disciplinary measures, including termination, Paoletta reinforced the message that institutional change is paramount for the seamless execution of the President’s agenda.
Institutional Change and Republican Support
Amid calls for restructuring, Trump has yet to appoint a head for the DOJ, while urging compliance with his administrative agenda. This approach is echoed by numerous Republicans who view the DOJ as an institution in need of significant reform to ensure it represents the democratic mandate of the elected President. Such shifts are aimed at minimizing internal dissent and maximizing policy adherence during Trump’s tenure.
While the political field remains divided, the call for alignment within the DOJ stresses the importance of cohesive policy execution in future terms. As the nation approaches this period of change, the focus remains on how institutional reforms might alter the landscape of federal operations.
Sources:
- ‘Leave or Be Fired’: Trump Adviser Warns DOJ Bureaucrats Hoping to Sabotage President-Elect’s Agenda
