Demanding Support for Trump, Justice Dept. Struggles to Recruit Prosecutors

Last weekend Chad Mizelle, a former chief of staff to Attorney General Pam Bondi, posted an unusual help-wanted message seeking federal prosecutors who would “support President Trump and [the] anti-crime agenda,” asking interested lawyers to direct-message him on X.

The solicitation, made while he acted as a private citizen, underscored a widespread belief inside the department that the president should be able to hire only those willing to execute his agenda. The Justice Department lost about 8 percent of its work force between November 2024 and November 2025, and U.S.

attorneys’ offices saw a 14 percent drop in head count, from 11,863 to 10,154. Applications for vacant slots have fallen sharply, officials say, and some openings now include questions asking how a candidate would “help advance the president’s executive orders and policy priorities,” or to “identify one or two relevant executive orders or policy initiatives” and explain how they would implement them.

United States