A group of alumni attorneys from the United States Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Southern District of Florida have expressed their strong opposition to the recent dismissals of several career prosecutors.
These attorneys, including former colleagues authorized to voice this stance, believe that the firings are retaliatory actions aimed at those prioritizing public service over political allegiance to President Donald Trump.
The group comprises a diverse range of professionals, including a former U.S. attorney appointed by a Republican and several senior supervisory and line assistant U.S. attorneys (AUSAs) who have served under both Republican and Democratic administrations.
Their condemnation specifically targets President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi, whose actions, they argue, undermine the core mission of the Department of Justice: to conduct fair and impartial investigations and prosecutions of serious crimes.
“We strongly condemn President Trump’s and Attorney General Bondi’s actions. Firing highly experienced, ethical, and effective prosecutors for partisan reasons harms that mission and the interests of the people of the United States,” the group stated.
The alumni attorneys emphasize that each of them swore to uphold their constitutional responsibilities and execute their duties faithfully.
They assert that political interference in criminal proceedings and retribution against perceived opponents are fundamentally at odds with the Department of Justice’s mission and its commitment to equal and impartial justice.
The former attorneys accuse Trump and Bondi of violating these principles through the unjust dismissals of four seasoned prosecutors from the Southern District of Florida.
The first firing occurred shortly after Trump’s second inauguration, when Michael Thakur, one of the most experienced prosecutors in the district, was abruptly terminated. Thakur had been involved in the prosecution concerning classified documents discovered at Trump’s residence.
Another experienced prosecutor from that case, Anne McNamara, also faced the same fate, having left the Miami office to serve under Special Counsel Jack Smith, only to be summarily fired.
In a similarly troubling case, AUSA Brooke Watson, recognized for her dedicated service with multiple awards, was also dismissed in July. Watson had been a part of Smith’s team examining financial information related to the events surrounding January 6.
Most recently, AUSA Will Rosenzweig learned of his dismissal when his office mobile phone stopped working during his day off for the Rosh Hashanah holiday.
Rosenzweig’s firing is linked to his online posts criticizing President Trump made while he was in private practice, well before becoming an AUSA.
The dismissals of these prosecutors raise serious concerns, as they were not removed due to ineffectiveness or misconduct, but rather for being perceived as adversaries to Trump.
Throughout his presidency, Trump has regularly contended that personal retribution can justify prosecutorial decisions, a notion that the alumni attorneys firmly reject.
They highlight that such motives have never been acceptable foundations for action within the American judicial system.
Even Attorney General Bondi acknowledged during her confirmation hearing the importance of restoring confidence and integrity within the Department of Justice, promising not to target individuals solely for being political adversaries.
However, the attorneys argue that her subsequent actions contradict this pledge, indicating a politicization of the office.
Bondi’s commitment to not politicizing the office has thus far been undermined, as she is viewed as acting in alignment with the president’s political interests.
In conclusion, the alumni attorneys stand in solidarity with their dismissed colleagues, urging a return to honest and fair enforcement of laws.
Their letter serves as a reminder of the vital role that integrity and impartiality play within the Department of Justice.
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