### DOJ Employees in Turmoil as Trump Loyalists Loom

Panic and uncertainty have taken a firm hold within the Department of Justice (DOJ) as President-elect Donald Trump's impending appointments prompt lawyers to consider fleeing the agency. With Trump having been the subject of two criminal prosecutions and holding a longstanding critical view of the DOJ, many fear a dramatic transformation of the department under his leadership.

"Everyone I've talked to, mostly lawyers, are losing their minds," an anonymous DOJ attorney told Politico. Concerns are rife that career leadership and employees might either leave voluntarily or be forced out. During his campaign, Trump criticized the prosecutions against him as setting a "terrible precedent" and hinted at possible retribution against Democrats, suggesting a radical shift in how the DOJ could function.

Stacey Young, a trial attorney in the DOJ's Civil Rights Division, expressed deep concerns about the future. "Many federal employees are terrified that we'll be replaced with partisan loyalists," she told Politico. The fear is not only for job security but also for the broader implications on democratic governance. Another former DOJ official predicted that Trump's second term would be "worse" than the first, raising anxious speculation within the department.

Adding to these concerns is the potential appointment of Jeffrey Clark to a senior role, despite facing disciplinary actions from the DC Bar for his involvement in efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Clark's previous attempts to become acting attorney general were thwarted only by the threat of resignation from several Trump-appointed DOJ officials.

Among other possible appointees is Republican lawyer Mike Davis, notorious for controversial remarks and threats, including his recent comments directed at New York Attorney General Letitia James. Former senior DOJ officials believe that such extreme candidates could drive a significant portion of the career staff to leave.

However, many within the DOJ and external critics argue that it's crucial for career staff to remain. "You need career people there to make sure that the maniacs in charge just can't, like, run roughshod over federal laws and DOJ practice," a current DOJ lawyer emphasized. Norm Eisen, a notable critic of Trump, also urged staff to stay to help "preserve the republic."

Eisen warned that while Trump had learned more about managing the federal bureaucracy, his control wouldn't be absolute if career staff remained to provide continuity. A study post-Mueller investigation in 2018 highlighted that although prosecutorial independence is a cornerstone of American democracy, it is vulnerable to dismantling by a determined president.

The DOJ has yet to comment on the matter, leaving its employees and critics alike bracing for what might come next under Trump's renewed influence.