Justice Department Struggles to Recruit Attorneys

The New York Times reported that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is having trouble recruiting attorneys, and described "the prevailing sentiment inside the department — that Mr. Trump has the right to hire only those willing to execute his agenda." The news outlet added: "One former prosecutor who served on a hiring committee in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles said that candidates who expressed support for administration policies were often moved forward for final interviews, even those with weak academic records and little litigation experience." DOJ's published vacancy announcements for Assistant U.S. Attorney positions reflected lowered hiring standards, including an April 2026 announcement for the U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of New Mexico requiring only that "Applicants must possess a J.D. Degree, be an active member of the bar (any U.S. jurisdiction)."