Attorney General Pam Bondi's Justice Department is hemorrhaging talent, and the Fox News habit has become a major contributor to this brain drain. The department's senior officials seem desperate to minimize embarrassment to the powerful, including former President Donald Trump. They're riling up the MAGA coalition one appearance at a time.
Just last week, Jeanine Pirro, a former co-host of "The Five" on Fox News, vowed to arrest gun owners who bring firearms into the District of Columbia, even if they are licensed elsewhere. Her comments sparked outrage from conservatives and Republicans in Congress, with many calling for her to be fired.
Pirro's stance is emblematic of the department's problem: a lack of restraint and a willingness to use media appearances as a way to signal loyalty to Trump. Other officials, like Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, have also been spotted on Fox News, reassuring viewers that partying with Jeffrey Epstein "is not a crime."
Meanwhile, prosecutors are fleeing the Minnesota U.S. Attorney's office, which has been decimated due to inadequate staffing and lack of resources. Judges are complaining about late filings, ignored orders, and basic constitutional requirements being violated.
As loyalists flame out, career lawyers are fleeing in droves, with many warning that the department is becoming an agency of career suicide. The post-Watergate norms that once guided the Justice Department – independence from political pressure, a focus on serving the public and the law – are being incinerated.
Bondi herself has been spotted on Fox News, threatening journalists who dare to question her actions. Her own behavior has raised concerns about politicized prosecution and the erosion of the department's independence.
The damage is done. A senior federal prosecutor used a Fox News appearance to issue what sounded like a blanket threat to gun owners, contradicting conservative orthodoxy and the administration's own efforts to promote permitless carry and national reciprocity.
This latest development comes as no surprise. The Justice Department has long been plagued by staffing shortages and a lack of resources. But under Trump, it's become clear that loyalty is now a hiring criterion for federal prosecutors.
As one former top DOJ official put it, "These messages amount to a public declaration that loyalty to Trump is now a hiring criterion for federal prosecutors."
The move triggered alarm even among conservatives, with the National Review warning about politicized prosecution. Andy McCarthy, a writer for the magazine and a Fox News contributor, said the Justice Department should be defunded if support for the incumbent president is a condition of enforcing the law.
But the damage has already been done. The department's reputation has taken a hit, and the country is left to wonder how things will unfold next. One thing is clear: the current leadership of the Justice Department is causing more harm than good.
Just last week, Jeanine Pirro, a former co-host of "The Five" on Fox News, vowed to arrest gun owners who bring firearms into the District of Columbia, even if they are licensed elsewhere. Her comments sparked outrage from conservatives and Republicans in Congress, with many calling for her to be fired.
Pirro's stance is emblematic of the department's problem: a lack of restraint and a willingness to use media appearances as a way to signal loyalty to Trump. Other officials, like Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, have also been spotted on Fox News, reassuring viewers that partying with Jeffrey Epstein "is not a crime."
Meanwhile, prosecutors are fleeing the Minnesota U.S. Attorney's office, which has been decimated due to inadequate staffing and lack of resources. Judges are complaining about late filings, ignored orders, and basic constitutional requirements being violated.
As loyalists flame out, career lawyers are fleeing in droves, with many warning that the department is becoming an agency of career suicide. The post-Watergate norms that once guided the Justice Department – independence from political pressure, a focus on serving the public and the law – are being incinerated.
Bondi herself has been spotted on Fox News, threatening journalists who dare to question her actions. Her own behavior has raised concerns about politicized prosecution and the erosion of the department's independence.
The damage is done. A senior federal prosecutor used a Fox News appearance to issue what sounded like a blanket threat to gun owners, contradicting conservative orthodoxy and the administration's own efforts to promote permitless carry and national reciprocity.
This latest development comes as no surprise. The Justice Department has long been plagued by staffing shortages and a lack of resources. But under Trump, it's become clear that loyalty is now a hiring criterion for federal prosecutors.
As one former top DOJ official put it, "These messages amount to a public declaration that loyalty to Trump is now a hiring criterion for federal prosecutors."
The move triggered alarm even among conservatives, with the National Review warning about politicized prosecution. Andy McCarthy, a writer for the magazine and a Fox News contributor, said the Justice Department should be defunded if support for the incumbent president is a condition of enforcing the law.
But the damage has already been done. The department's reputation has taken a hit, and the country is left to wonder how things will unfold next. One thing is clear: the current leadership of the Justice Department is causing more harm than good.
. It seems like we're losing sight of what's truly important - serving the people and upholding the law, not just advancing a politician's agenda 
. These Fox News appearances are a huge problem, it feels like they're more interested in promoting their own views than doing real investigative work 
. And now we have prosecutors who are more concerned with loyalty to Trump than actually prosecuting crimes 
. It's like the whole system is being politicized and that's terrifying 
. We need to find a way to separate politics from justice and make sure our laws are enforced fairly and without bias 
.
fox news has clearly become a major turn-off for decent talent, who wouldn't wanna work there tho? it's not like they have anything better to do lol. and honestly, if people are gonna get fired over a minor controversy on tv, then maybe the system is broken... or just desperate for attention 
The Justice Dept's brain drain is no surprise given their Fox News habit 
It's like they're playing a game of "Who can be most obsequious to Trump" 
. And it's not just prosecutors, judges are complaining about the same lack of resources and politicized prosecution 
. This is a huge problem that needs to be addressed ASAP 
. We need a return to the post-Watergate norms where the Justice Dept operates independently and serves the public interest 
. Not this loyalty- above-all-else nonsense 
And seriously, who thought it was a good idea for Jeanine Pirro to say she'd arrest gun owners? That's just ridiculous. It's like they're trying to alienate everyone except the MAGA crowd. 
. It's like they're trying to create a culture of fear and loyalty in the Justice Department, and it's having a major impact on the way things are done. I mean, Jeanine Pirro making outlandish comments about arresting gun owners? That's just crazy talk! 
And what's with Todd Blanche's Epstein partying nonsense? It's like they're trying to undermine the very foundations of the Justice Department.
... if Jeanine Pirro can say crazy stuff about arresting gun owners and still get a pass from Fox News, what's wrong with these people? I'm not seeing any sources that say she's getting fired or anything 
. And what's with all these other officials going on Fox News to promote Trump's agenda? It's like they're trying to be part of the problem 
. That sounds like some serious corruption to me. I need some actual evidence or sources that back this up before I start accepting it as true 
. And yeah, let's be real, the Justice Department has been struggling with staffing issues for years, but this just takes it to a whole new level 
.
. I think they're more like politicians who are trying to advance their own careers and stay in power 
. The fact that they're using Fox News as a platform to do it is just plain pathetic 
.
. Until then, I'm calling BS 
.
it's like they're sucking all the talent out of the Justice Department! I mean, who wants to work for a department that's just going to pander to the MAGA crowd? It's like, no one is above the law, right? But honestly, I think the bigger issue here is that these officials are so desperate to keep Trump happy that they're compromising their own integrity. Like, what even is going on in that head of Jeanine Pirro's?