Story perspectives

Trump Pardons 15, DOJ Integrity Section Falls to Two

5/13/2026

Center

Trump Slashes Integrity

The Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section has shrunk to just two full-time attorneys since President Donald Trump assumed office in 2025.
U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned at least 15 former officials, reducing the Section’s open corruption matters from about 200 to 20.
Originally employing 35-40 attorneys at the start of the term, the section now has only two.
Experts warn jurisdictions lose capacity to prosecute cases such as a Pennsylvania police officer bribery conviction.

Left

Trump Settlement

Settlement could require every taxpayer to contribute $100, marking an unprecedented use of public funds to benefit a sitting president.
The Justice Department is negotiating a settlement of President Donald Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit against the IRS, with briefs due May 20.
One proposal would halt IRS audits of Trump, his family and their businesses.
Judge Kathleen M. Williams appointed lawyers to review the conflict and set the May 20 deadline.

History

Historical Context

After Nixon’s 1974 resignation sparked the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 and the creation of an independent counsel that pursued two high-profile investigations costing $1.5 million, Congress staffed the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section with 35 attorneys. Budget cuts have now left only two lawyers, echoing the post-Watergate drive to curb executive power and the 1974 “Watergate Babies” reforms.

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Trump Slashes Integrity

The Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section has shrunk to just two full-time attorneys since President Donald Trump assumed office in 2025.
U.S. President Donald Trump pardoned at least 15 former officials, reducing the Section’s open corruption matters from about 200 to 20.
Originally employing 35-40 attorneys at the start of the term, the section now has only two.
Experts warn jurisdictions lose capacity to prosecute cases such as a Pennsylvania police officer bribery conviction.

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