Trump Administration’s Legal Workforce Shrinks as Over 10,000 Lawyers Depart

Since the end of 2024, more than 10,000 attorneys who worked for the federal government have left their posts, according to a New York Times analysis of Office of Personnel Management data. The exodus spans roughly 16 months, covering the period from early 2025 through March 2026, and represents about one-in-five of the legal staff employed at the close of 2024.

New York Times

President Donald Trump’s second term has been marked by aggressive staffing reductions and a stated preference for “ideological buy-in.” The administration has publicly framed the turnover as a “re-organization for greater efficiency,” while critics note that many departures stem from resignations in protest of policy direction and from firings of staff deemed insufficiently loyal.

One in Five U.S. Federal Government Lawyers Depart; Trump Calls It "a Good Thing"

• Federal civilian lawyers fell to roughly 37,000, a 17 % decline from the end of 2024.

New York Times

• The Department of Education lost 53 % of its 645 lawyers.

Mediaite

• The Department of Housing and Urban Development shed 40 % of its legal staff.

Mediaite

• The Department of Justice saw the largest absolute loss, with 2,665 attorneys departing.

Mediaite

• The Department of Defense lost about 700 lawyers; the Department of Health lost nearly 300.

Mediaite

• In contrast, the Department of Homeland Security added 21 % more lawyers, reflecting its expanded immigration enforcement agenda.

One in Five U.S. Federal Government Lawyers Depart; Trump Calls It "a Good Thing"

The reduced legal corps has left agencies scrambling to fill critical roles, limiting their capacity to defend administration policies in court and to enforce regulations. State attorneys general, particularly Democrats, have capitalized on the surplus of experienced lawyers, hiring dozens to bolster challenges to federal actions. The shortage also forces the Justice Department to relax hiring standards, though political pressure deters many qualified candidates.

New York Times

President Trump described the turnover as “very good,” arguing that the departing attorneys were “Radical Left Deep-State lunatics” who were “destroying our Country.” The White House, through spokesperson Abigail Jackson, emphasized a continued commitment to “empowering and hiring hard-working Americans” and asserted that “the individuals who are hired are extremely qualified and talented.”

The Hill

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who has recruited 22 former federal lawyers, warned that “while state governments can fill some of the gaps, this is not a sustainable situation.” Former DOJ official Andrew Mergen called the trend “a remarkable shift in talent out of the federal government to other places.” Law schools report a decline in students seeking federal internships, citing concerns that a Trump-era résumé may now be a liability.

One in Five U.S. Federal Government Lawyers Depart; Trump Calls It "a Good Thing"

Former HUD attorney Erik Heins, who was dismissed after raising concerns about fair-housing assignments, noted that “there are a lot of things that just can’t get done” without sufficient legal staff. Faculty and students echo this sentiment, describing a climate of uncertainty and reduced morale within federal legal offices.

The Hill

While most agencies experienced steep declines, the Department of Homeland Security’s 21 % increase stands out as an outlier. The White House has not provided detailed data on the reasons for individual departures, leaving analysts unable to quantify the precise impact on policy implementation and litigation outcomes.

One in Five U.S. Federal Government Lawyers Depart; Trump Calls It "a Good Thing"

• “The New York Times wrote a story today entitled, ‘Trump Administration Sees Striking Exodus of Legal Talent,’ as though that’s a bad thing, when actually, it’s very good,” — Donald Trump, President

Mediaite

• “The people that are leaving are Radical Left Deep State Lunatics, who are destroying our Country, and Weaponizing Government,” — Donald Trump, President

The Hill

• “We are securing talent and expertise that we would not normally have been able to hire.” — Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General

One in Five U.S. Federal Government Lawyers Depart; Trump Calls It "a Good Thing"

• “Former HUD lawyer Erik Heins, who was fired last year after he raised concerns about fair housing lawyers being reassigned to other offices, said that without lawyers, “there are a lot of things that just can’t get done.” — Erik Heins, former HUD lawyer

The Hill

• “The individuals who are hired are extremely qualified and talented,” — Abigail Jackson, White House spokesperson

The Hill

• “If you are a lawyer, are interested in being an AUSA, and support President Trump and anti-crime agenda, DM me,” — Chad Mizelle, former DOJ chief of staff

Mediaite

State attorneys general plan to continue absorbing former federal attorneys, while the Justice Department seeks to replenish its ranks amid ongoing political pressure. Legal scholars anticipate heightened courtroom battles as the administration’s reduced in-house counsel base confronts a growing pool of experienced challengers. Monitoring hiring trends and agency litigation outcomes will be essential to gauge the long-term effects of this unprecedented legal talent migration.

New York Times