Published 12 days ago • loading... • Updated 12 days ago
Trump’s DOJ has cut thousands of law-enforcement jobs while vowing to get tough on crime
Records show the FBI lost 2,600 workers and the National Security Division lost nearly 38% of staff as vacancies and buyouts mounted.
On Thursday, Reuters reported that the Trump administration has cut more than 4,000 employees from top law-enforcement agencies since the 2024 fiscal year, despite vows to crack down on crime.
Upheaval at the Justice Department, driven by administration efforts to shrink government, prompted thousands of buyouts; officials struggle to fill vacancies, leaving about 7,000 positions unfilled.
Data shows the FBI lost more than 7% of staff, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives dropped about 14%, and the Bureau of Prisons shed more than 2,200 employees amid a "staffing crisis."
Former Justice Department lawyer Stacey Young criticized the "hollowing out" of agencies, while spokeswoman Natalie Baldassarre claimed buyouts removed staff who "did not want to aggressively and faithfully tackle crime."
Federal drug trafficking prosecutions dropped to their lowest levels in over two decades, while the National Security Division lost nearly 38% of its staff amid the shift toward immigration enforcement.
Reinforced fight against crime is one of the promises of the U.S. government. Nevertheless, there is a massive job reduction in many law enforcement agencies. There are few exceptions.