In recent developments, the Justice Department under US Attorney General Pam Bondi has continued its significant restructuring by firing at least nine more staff members associated with Special Counsel Jack Smith's team, which investigated former President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents and efforts to overturn the 2020 election. This move is part of a broader purge that has seen at least 26 former Smith team employees dismissed since Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025. The latest dismissals include two prosecutors previously working in Florida and North Carolina, along with seven support staff members. Earlier rounds of firings began on January 27, targeting 14 attorneys from Smith’s team, signaling a dramatic shift in Justice Department priorities under the current administration and sparking concerns about judicial independence and political interference[1][2].

Alongside the Smith-related firings, the Justice Department has also removed personnel involved in prosecutions linked to the January 6 Capitol riot, including cases concerning far-right groups like the Proud Boys. This ongoing workforce overhaul highlights a significant reshaping of the department’s approach to Trump-related investigations and cases against his supporters[1][2].

Meanwhile, Democratic lawmakers have publicly demanded transparency regarding Special Counsel Jack Smith's reports, particularly those related to Trump’s handling of classified documents. They have urged Attorney General Bondi to release Smith’s report without redactions amidst ongoing controversies over the Justice Department’s handling of these sensitive documents and investigations. Critics argue that the department’s current stance reflects political bias, with Attorney General Bondi herself having been part of Trump’s legal defense team during his 2020 impeachment trial. Democrats accuse the Justice Department of acting more like Trump’s personal legal team by withholding information that could be damaging to the former president[3].

In a related vein, tensions remain high between Trump and Jack Smith. Trump recently claimed to have "got the last laugh" over Smith, particularly regarding the return of boxes seized in the Mar-a-Lago raid. Trump has vowed to continue fighting these investigations, framing the recent dismissals and actions as a form of “justice restored” from his perspective[4].

These developments underscore the ongoing political and legal battles involving Donald Trump and the Justice Department, with repercussions for both the administration’s internal dynamics and broader concerns about the rule of law and the independence of judicial investigations going forward.

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