The U.S. Department of Justice has lost 4,000 employees under a sweeping downsizing initiative implemented by the Trump administration, raising deep concern among former officials and law enforcement experts who warn the reductions could significantly weaken the department’s capacity to ensure public safety and uphold justice nationwide.
The staffing cuts are part of a voluntary “fork in the road” deferred resignation program, which offered federal employees the option to leave their posts in exchange for incentives, framed as a measure to reduce spending and “right-size” government operations. According to a department budget summary reviewed by CBS News, the initiative is projected to save $470 million. Yet critics argue the move may carry long-term costs in the form of reduced expertise, diminished law enforcement effectiveness, and lower morale within the DOJ.
In addition to the thousands already departed, the Justice Department is planning further reductions, including the elimination of 1,500 positions at the FBI. More than 700 of those are unfilled agent roles that will now be cut entirely.
The budget document justifies these moves as part of a broader efficiency push. “Capitalizing on increased efficiency, the FBI will prioritize core missions of securing the border, eliminating transnational criminal organizations, reinforcing national security, and protecting the American people from violent crime,” the department stated.
Although the 4,000 departures represent a relatively small slice of the DOJ’s 105,000 employees, many current and former officials believe the cuts strike at the heart of institutional knowledge and leadership experience.
Stacey Young, a former DOJ attorney who resigned earlier this year and now leads the advocacy group Justice Connections, said the agency has lost invaluable human capital.
“The department has suffered an irreparable loss through the thousands who’ve left through the deferred resignation program,” Young said. “Many of those who resigned wanted to stay, but they were told to take the offer or face termination. Expertise, institutional knowledge, and stability are keys—not impediments—to an efficient and effective government.”
Former Assistant Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Thomas Chittum echoed those concerns, calling the cuts “shortsighted.”
“No one becomes a seasoned investigator overnight,” Chittum said. “We should not mortgage the future of federal law enforcement for short-term cost savings.” He warned that the departure of senior agents would erode investigative capacity and prevent the effective mentoring of recruits.
The Justice Department’s plan includes the dismantling of its Community Relations Service (CRS), a unit formed during the civil rights movement and tasked with preventing and resolving racial and ethnic conflicts. All 56 positions at the CRS are to be eliminated. Its closure has drawn fierce criticism, especially amid growing racial tensions across the country.
“Sacking expert conciliators on the eve of a summer of growing tension is like turning off fire hydrants as flames approach,” said Bert Brandenburg, a former DOJ official. “This is a recipe for more chaos and more violence.”
FBI Director Kash Patel is also overseeing efforts to decentralize the agency by relocating jobs out of Washington, D.C., and into field offices across the U.S. Testifying before a House subcommittee, Patel claimed that this move would “enhance investigative capacity and provide better support to federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial partners.”
But some former DOJ officials worry that this will only accelerate the exodus of experienced agents, particularly those unwilling to uproot their lives for mandatory relocations.
Former DOJ spokesperson Joshua Stueve, who resigned in February, lamented the new tone of leadership in his departure letter: “It has been an honor to serve this department under multiple administrations led by both Republicans and Democrats, each of whom has previously treated career staff with respect and dignity. It is heartbreaking to see that basic decency come to an end.”
In a Jan. 28 letter from the White House Office of Management and Budget to federal employees, the administration acknowledged the uncertainty facing many workers. “At this time, we cannot give you full assurance regarding the certainty of your position or agency,” the letter said. “But should your position be eliminated, you will be treated with dignity… and afforded the protections in place for such positions.”
Despite assurances, many former employees feel the damage has already been done. The combination of budget cuts, job eliminations, and organizational shake-ups—particularly during a time of heightened domestic and global threats—has alarmed many in the federal law enforcement community.
“Cutting staff at the FBI jeopardizes Americans’ safety in a heightened threat environment,” Young added.
Congress still has the final say on whether the Justice Department’s proposed budget and restructuring plan will move forward. As lawmakers prepare to review the DOJ’s funding requests, the stakes are high—not just for the agency, but for national security and public trust in federal law enforcement.
