Mass Exodus from the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division
In a significant shift within the Justice Department's civil rights division, hundreds of lawyers and staff members are reportedly leaving their positions. This wave of departures comes as many veterans of the division claim they have been pushed out by officials from the Trump administration. These officials are reportedly aiming to refocus the division’s efforts away from its traditional responsibilities towards a more aggressive pursuit of cases involving Ivy League schools, other educational institutions, and liberal cities.
Reopened "Deferred Resignation Program"
The recent increase in resignations has been notably accelerated by the reopening of the administration's “deferred resignation program.” This program allows employees to resign while still receiving their salaries for a limited period. The offer specifically targets those working within the civil rights division and is set to expire on Monday. It is anticipated that more than 100 lawyers will take advantage of this opportunity, adding to a growing list of departures that could severely impact the division's operational capacity.
Several career prosecutors in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division announced they are leaving the department, shortly after they learned there would be no civil rights probe into the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by a federal immigration agent, according to six sources briefed on the matter.
At least six prosecutors, most of whom are supervisors in the Civil Rights Division's criminal section, will be leaving their jobs. Their decision to depart was announced in a meeting to staff, sources told CBS News.
