Washington, D.C. — U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has fired Joseph Tirrell, the head of the ethics office at the Department of Justice (DOJ). This big move has raised serious questions about how the department is being run and whether politics are getting in the way of fair justice.
Tirrell had been working at the DOJ for years and was responsible for making sure employees followed the law and government ethics rules. That means he helped guide people on what was fair and legal—especially in tricky situations.
No Reason Given for the Firing
The firing letter, sent on July 11, did not say why Tirrell was let go. It only mentioned a part of the U.S. Constitution that gives Bondi the right to fire certain people. What upset many people even more was that his name was misspelled in the letter.
Bondi’s office hasn’t explained why Tirrell was removed or who will take over his job.
Part of a Larger Pattern?
This wasn’t the only firing. Over the past few months, Bondi has fired dozens of people in the Justice Department—many of whom worked on cases connected to former President Donald Trump. Some of these people were prosecutors or investigators in cases related to the January 6 Capitol attack or classified documents.
So far, around 37 people have been removed. Many of them were career workers—not political appointees. That means they had worked under presidents from both parties and were seen as neutral.
Critics Are Worried
Lawmakers, especially Democrats, are now worried that the Justice Department is being influenced by politics. Senator Dick Durbin, a top Democrat, said that removing a long-time ethics expert like Tirrell is dangerous. He warned that this could make it easier for people in power to avoid consequences.
Some say this reminds them of Watergate, a major political scandal in the 1970s where the government tried to cover up wrongdoing.
Ethics Team Under Pressure
Tirrell led a small team that helped more than 100,000 DOJ workers avoid conflicts of interest. He worked with officials to make sure no one was breaking the rules or abusing their power. His firing leaves a big hole, and many fear there won’t be strong ethical guidance going forward.
Some staff at the DOJ are now scared they might be fired next, especially if they worked on sensitive investigations. One worker said, “We don’t know who’s next, and we’re afraid to speak up.”
What’s Next?
So far, Bondi has not answered questions from the press or Congress about the firing. A few lawmakers are now asking for official documents that could show why Tirrell and others were removed. Meanwhile, employees are hoping someone steps in to protect them and the work they do.
This story is still developing. People across the country—and inside the government—will be watching closely to see what happens next.
