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Justice Dept. Eases Hiring Rules Amid Prosecutor Shortage

3/17/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Department of Justice suspended its one-year experience requirement for new federal prosecutors to address staffing shortages, through February 28, 2027.
The policy aims to attract recent law school graduates to fill vacancies in U.S. attorney offices nationwide.
About 5,000 employees have left since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to office.
Some U.S. attorney offices, including Minnesota and South Florida, are particularly affected.

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Story summary

The U.S. Department of Justice suspended its one-year experience requirement for new federal prosecutors to address staffing shortages, through February 28, 2027.
The policy aims to attract recent law school graduates to fill vacancies in U.S. attorney offices nationwide.
About 5,000 employees have left since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to office.
Some U.S. attorney offices, including Minnesota and South Florida, are particularly affected.