US Government Purges Justice Officials in Apparent Retaliation, Raising Concerns for Rule of Law

Margaret Satterthwaite, the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, expressed serious concern over these developments.

The new US administration has taken sweeping actions against justice officials, removing or reassigning a significant number of prosecutors, judges, and legal experts in what appears to be political retaliation, a United Nations human rights expert warned today.

Since taking office on January 20, 2025, the administration has dismissed numerous lawyers, prosecutors, and immigration judges without following standard procedures. Many of those affected had been involved in criminal investigations related to President Trump or prosecutions stemming from the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.

Margaret Satterthwaite, the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, expressed serious concern over these developments. "These actions come amid public statements by government officials and others characterizing judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officials as weapons of the previous administration," she said.

Following these firings, multiple Department of Justice prosecutors have resigned rather than comply with what they perceive as politically motivated directives. This has fueled fears that the administration is working to replace independent legal professionals with individuals loyal to its leadership.

On February 5, 2025, the Attorney General announced the creation of a "Weaponization Working Group" tasked with reviewing enforcement activities over the past four years. The Special Rapporteur suggested that this initiative could be a means to justify further purges of justice officials.

The administration’s actions also extend beyond prosecutors. Members of Congress have filed articles of impeachment against three federal judges, seemingly in retaliation for rulings unfavorable to the government. Additionally, senior Judge Advocates General (JAGs) from the US Army, Navy, and Air Force have been removed, raising concerns about the military’s adherence to legal and humanitarian obligations.

"Independent justice personnel are essential for maintaining the rule of law and the separation of powers," Satterthwaite emphasized. "The US government must cease its interference in the judiciary and allow justice to be carried out free from political influence."

The situation has sparked widespread concern among legal professionals, civil rights organizations, and international observers, who warn that these moves could undermine democracy and the credibility of the US justice system.