Carrie Johnson

Remember, Jack Smith brought two criminal cases against Donald Trump over January 6th and over classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. Prosecutors moved to dismiss both cases after Trump won the election. And this purge is a big deal. One longtime lawyer told me he couldn't think of a time in modern DOJ history where a whole slew of prosecutors who worked on a particular case were dismissed.

Of course, Donald Trump had promised to fire Jack Smith, too, but Smith resigned before the inauguration.

Of course, Donald Trump had promised to fire Jack Smith, too, but Smith resigned before the inauguration.

Of course, Donald Trump had promised to fire Jack Smith, too, but Smith resigned before the inauguration.

You know, federal judges approved search warrants and other actions DOJ took in its two cases against Trump. Grand juries signed off on them. So prosecutors say it's not as if these lawyers were acting without checks and balances. But clearly, President Trump does not see it that way. He signed an executive order last week designed to root out what he calls weaponization of the government.

You know, federal judges approved search warrants and other actions DOJ took in its two cases against Trump. Grand juries signed off on them. So prosecutors say it's not as if these lawyers were acting without checks and balances. But clearly, President Trump does not see it that way. He signed an executive order last week designed to root out what he calls weaponization of the government.

You know, federal judges approved search warrants and other actions DOJ took in its two cases against Trump. Grand juries signed off on them. So prosecutors say it's not as if these lawyers were acting without checks and balances. But clearly, President Trump does not see it that way. He signed an executive order last week designed to root out what he calls weaponization of the government.

And the Supreme Court last year made clear that presidents have a lot of control over federal law enforcement. Now Donald Trump is using it. So what happens now to these prosecutors who worked with Jack Smith? Many of them are career civil servants who have job protection, so they could protest and eventually sue to challenge their firings, get back pay, get their jobs back.

And the Supreme Court last year made clear that presidents have a lot of control over federal law enforcement. Now Donald Trump is using it. So what happens now to these prosecutors who worked with Jack Smith? Many of them are career civil servants who have job protection, so they could protest and eventually sue to challenge their firings, get back pay, get their jobs back.

And the Supreme Court last year made clear that presidents have a lot of control over federal law enforcement. Now Donald Trump is using it. So what happens now to these prosecutors who worked with Jack Smith? Many of them are career civil servants who have job protection, so they could protest and eventually sue to challenge their firings, get back pay, get their jobs back.

But that could take a long time and could be very expensive for taxpayers who would wind up footing the bill if these fired officials win in court. That's exactly what happened with Andy McCabe, the deputy FBI director Trump's administration fired in his first term in office.

But that could take a long time and could be very expensive for taxpayers who would wind up footing the bill if these fired officials win in court. That's exactly what happened with Andy McCabe, the deputy FBI director Trump's administration fired in his first term in office.

But that could take a long time and could be very expensive for taxpayers who would wind up footing the bill if these fired officials win in court. That's exactly what happened with Andy McCabe, the deputy FBI director Trump's administration fired in his first term in office.

I'm hearing some of the most senior civil servants have been reassigned in recent days to work on a sanctuary city task force. The thinking is that's designed to get those people to quit. Yesterday, one of them did, the man who ran the public integrity unit. Lawyers who handle the environment, civil rights, national security, they've all been reassigned too.

I'm hearing some of the most senior civil servants have been reassigned in recent days to work on a sanctuary city task force. The thinking is that's designed to get those people to quit. Yesterday, one of them did, the man who ran the public integrity unit. Lawyers who handle the environment, civil rights, national security, they've all been reassigned too.

I'm hearing some of the most senior civil servants have been reassigned in recent days to work on a sanctuary city task force. The thinking is that's designed to get those people to quit. Yesterday, one of them did, the man who ran the public integrity unit. Lawyers who handle the environment, civil rights, national security, they've all been reassigned too.

Mary McCord worked in the Justice Department for nearly 25 years. She teaches at Georgetown University now.

Mary McCord worked in the Justice Department for nearly 25 years. She teaches at Georgetown University now.

Mary McCord worked in the Justice Department for nearly 25 years. She teaches at Georgetown University now.

McCourt says it seems like these people are being fired or reassigned because of fear they will not be loyal to Trump. She says that makes it easier for a president to misuse the Justice Department for his own retribution. NPR's Carrie Johnson, thank you for this reporting, Carrie. My pleasure.