It’s been a tumultuous few years at the Justice Department. From making non-compliance with brief signing a fireable offense under former Attorney General Pam Bondi, to losing a significant number of attorneys in the Office of Immigration Litigation, the department's struggles have been many and varied. Even more concerning, judges nationwide have questioned the department's adherence to the presumption of regularity, a foundational legal principle.

The problems began to manifest visibly in April 2025 when Erez Reuveni, then-acting deputy director of the Office of Immigration Litigation, openly expressed frustration in court about the department's actions, leading to his swift dismissal. His firing was a clear message: zealously advocate or leave. Reuveni later claimed in a whistleblower complaint that there were suggestions from higher-ups to explicitly disregard court orders if they obstructed deportation policies.

Sarah Wilson, a former official in the DOJ and now a partner at Colombo & Hurd, shared her experiences on Bloomberg Law’s UnCommon Law podcast. She described a drastic shift in the department’s operations soon after Trump’s return to the White House. The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, wrongfully removed contrary to a court order, was particularly telling. Previously, such incidents were handled with a degree of contrition; under the new administration, such an approach led to severe repercussions.

According to Wilson, the department’s internal environment became one where lawyers feared making decisions, unsure if complying with a court order too swiftly might result in punitive actions from above. This change not only paralyzed decision-making but also led to a culture of fear and uncertainty among the staff.

Wilson’s eventual decision to leave the DOJ was described as "heartbreaking." She emphasized the long road ahead in restoring the department to its former principles and operations—a task she believes could take generations.

This story sheds light on the chilling atmosphere within a key federal agency tasked with upholding justice and legal integrity, highlighting the profound impact of administrative changes on its operations and the morale of its dedicated personnel.