Justice Department and FBI officials have reportedly started seeking legal counsel due to concerns they may face prosecution under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.
These fears are fueled by Trump’s pledges to pursue “retribution” against the deep state figures that worked against him during his presidency and continued to do so afterward.
The anxiety among officials has deepened following Trump’s decision to nominate former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz as attorney general. Gaetz, known for his hardline views, would oversee the Justice Department and federal law enforcement agencies if confirmed. His appointment reportedly followed a conversation with Trump in which Gaetz expressed a willingness to aggressively pursue Trump’s enemies, reportedly saying he would “go over there and start cuttin’ fuckin’ heads.” Gaetz has previously called for dismantling government agencies like the FBI and ATF, accusing them of political bias.
The rhetoric and anticipated crackdown have led both current and former officials to seek legal protection despite believing they acted lawfully. According to NBC, some Justice Department staff were visibly emotional after Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris, fearing his return would undermine the department’s “integrity” and paint their actions as politically motivated.
A former senior FBI official, now consulting with attorneys, said, “Everything we did was above board. But this is a different world.” Another former senior Justice Department official, who served during Trump’s first term, described Gaetz’s selection as a sign that Trump is serious about seeking retribution. “He needs to be able to control the department, which he can do through a loyal attorney general beholden to him,” the former official stated. “Gaetz understands that he owes everything to Trump, who can protect him through his pardon power.”
Throughout the campaign, Trump emphasized that his attorney general appointment would be his most critical decision, signaling his intent to assert control over a department traditionally insulated from political influence.
