Justice Department Terminates Three Prosecutors Linked to Jan. 6 Cases
In a significant development shaking the Justice Department (DOJ), Attorney General Pam Bondi abruptly fired at least three federal prosecutors involved in the high-profile January 6 Capitol riot cases. This marks the first known dismissal of career prosecutors beyond their probationary period who were handling these sensitive indictments.
Details Behind the Sudden Dismissals
Those terminated included two supervisors leading prosecution efforts in the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington and a frontline attorney engaged directly in Capitol attack cases. One of the dismissed prosecutors was stationed overseas. The dismissal letters, signed by AG Bondi, cited constitutional provisions but gave no explicit explanation for the firings.
The Justice Department declined to publicly comment on the terminations.
Context: A Pattern of Targeting Jan. 6 Prosecutors
This latest move follows a series of personnel actions by the current administration, including firing and demoting several DOJ career prosecutors who handled Jan. 6 investigations and related cases against former President Donald Trump. Earlier this year, probationary prosecutors—those newly hired or temporarily assigned—were dismissed or reassigned, but the recent firings mark the first removal of seasoned, career attorneys connected to these prosecutions.
Sources familiar with internal DOJ dynamics say the actions have fostered fear and uncertainty among prosecutors and FBI officials, potentially discouraging rigorous investigations of Trump allies. One federal law enforcement official described the firings as “horrifying” and a “slap in the face” to the career DOJ workforce, emphasizing that no staff member feels secure under the current administration’s unpredictable decisions.
Supreme Court Limits Lower Court Power in Trump's Birthright Citizenship Order
In a 6-3 vote, the Supreme Court ruled to restrict lower courts from issuing nationwide injunctions that would prevent enforcement of President Trump’s controversial executive order on birthright citizenship. While not deciding the order’s constitutionality, the decision allows its partial implementation, potentially affecting children born to undocumented or temporarily authorized immigrants.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett's majority opinion, joined by Chief Justice Roberts and four other conservative justices, stated that courts likely exceeded their authority by halting the order's enforcement across the nation. Liberal justices—Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson—dissented vehemently, warning that this ruling undermines constitutional protections and emboldens unchecked executive power.
Concerns Over Civil Rights and Executive Overreach
Justice Sonia Sotomayor called the ruling a “solemn mockery of our Constitution” and cautioned it threatens various civil liberties beyond birthright citizenship, from firearm ownership to religious freedoms. Justice Jackson emphasized the decision grants the Executive Branch alarming authority often likened to monarchical power, sidelining the rule of law and placing the onus on victims to seek legal protection.
Supreme Court Permits Parents to Opt Out of LGBTQ Content in Schools
The Court also sided with Maryland parents in a case allowing them to remove children from lessons featuring LGBTQ-themed materials. The 6-3 ruling affirms parental rights under the First Amendment’s Free Exercise Clause but drew criticism for potentially enabling censorship and disrupting public education.
Justice Samuel Alito, writing for the majority, highlighted parents’ constitutional rights to direct the religious upbringing of their children, asserting that prohibiting opt-outs imposes an unconstitutional burden.
Conversely, Justice Sonia Sotomayor warned this decision could cause chaos in schools, forcing districts to either accommodate extensive opt-out requests or remove LGBTQ content altogether, limiting educational diversity and inclusivity.
California Governor Gavin Newsom Sues Fox News for Defamation
Governor Gavin Newsom has filed a $787 million defamation lawsuit against Fox News following allegations that the network misleadingly edited a call between Newsom and Donald Trump during anti-ICE protests in Los Angeles. Newsom accuses Fox of distorting the footage to misrepresent the conversation, seeking reparations and a public apology from host Jesse Watters.
The suit mirrors prior high-profile defamation cases involving media outlets and political figures, raising ongoing debates around media accountability and political influence.
Trump Administration’s Trade Deal Promises Face Delays
Despite ambitious targets, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent admitted that trade negotiations touted by President Trump as “90 deals in 90 days” will likely extend into September. While a trade agreement with the U.K. has been finalized, critical deals with other major partners remain incomplete. Bessent suggested that meaningful progress would come closer to Labor Day but declined to provide a firm timeline.
Trump Seeks to Resume Negotiations with Iran Following Strikes
Following recent missile strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the Trump administration is reportedly pursuing renewed negotiations, offering financial incentives and partial sanctions relief. Iranian officials remain cautious but have engaged in preliminary talks since a ceasefire was declared. However, considerable uncertainty persists regarding the outcome.
Senate Blocks Gun Deregulation in Budget Bill
The Senate parliamentarian disallowed provisions aimed at deregulating the purchase of gun silencers and certain firearms within the current budget reconciliation bill. This action complicates GOP efforts to pass sweeping gun law changes by bypassing the filibuster, signaling a challenging path for such regulatory rollbacks ahead of the looming July 4 deadline.
Attorney General Pam Bondi and Oregon Senator Clash Over Influence Peddling
During a heated budget hearing, Senator Jeff Merkley accused the Trump administration of enabling influence peddling connected to the digital currency $Trump. Bondi responded forcefully, emphasizing the administration’s efforts to combat drug trafficking and violent crime, particularly in Oregon, and rejected Merkley’s accusations as baseless.
