As president Donald Trump continues to give the Justice Department new investigations and new targets, the agency’s upper echelons are shrinking.
Of the 11 positions the DOJ has for deputy attorneys general, who head its major divisions and bureaus, only three will have permanent Senate-confirmed leaders if all announced departures and resignations continue and no replacements are confirmed.
Among the a wave of departures of senior officials: Head of the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillonhead of the National Security Division John Eisenberg And Patrick Davisthe DOJ’s primary liaison to the Hill. Head of Office of Legal Adviser T.Elliot Gaiser could also be shipped out soon, if he is confirmed to a federal judgeship in Texas.
The Justice Department’s No. 2 job, deputy attorney general, has officially been vacant for more than a year, since Trump’s former defense attorney Émile Bové left his position for a position as a 3rd Circuit judge. Trent McCotter did this work in an acting capacity, but neither he nor anyone else was appointed to this position.
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