The Justice Department hastily ordered dozens of recent law school graduates to fill entry-level positions in antitrust, criminal, civil rights, immigration, national security, and the FBI. I gave up on getting a job. In the situation.
The offer was made through the Attorney General's Honor Program, which has operated without controversy under presidents of both parties for decades. The program is the latest target of Trump's political appointees and appears to be aimed at reversing most conduct decisions made by his predecessor.
The move was part of a domino effect in which President Donald J. Trump enacted a 90-day federal hiring freeze. A follow-up memo from the Office of Management and Budget exempted military personnel and jobs “related to immigration enforcement, national security, or public safety,” including Justice Department programs in the past.
The hiring freeze caused confusion and panic in some parts of the federal government that perform critical work not covered by exemptions.
On Thursday, after current and former employees of the Department of Veterans Affairs expressed alarm that the freeze could jeopardize the quality of care given to former service members, agency officials said, It said it would exempt employees deemed “essential to safety.” Frontline caregivers. ”
Participants in the Justice Department's Honors Program have so far received no such reprieve, even though much of the work they are scheduled to begin is clearly related to national security and public safety. No. The offer had been withdrawn on Wednesday.
“This program is very apolitical, and when recruiting for interviews, we were very explicitly asked if we were comfortable working under different administrations,” said Georgetown Law School's Student Chelsea Welch decided to work in the department's environment and natural resources division.
“We have today confirmed that the revocation is permanent and will not be revisited,” she added.
Another student whose job offer was withdrawn and who requested anonymity to protect her employment prospects said she applied for a position in a department that deals only with law enforcement issues because she wanted to avoid politics. Ta.
Other agencies with similar programs — including the Commissioner of the Currency, which regulates all national and foreign banks operating in the United States, and the Internal Revenue Service — have withdrawn their offers, as has one law school. said Kevin Nelson, a graduate who plans to work for the Secretary.
Participants in the Justice Department program, one of the oldest career development initiatives in the federal government, received letters of acceptance for career-track jobs set for 24 to 36 months in November and December.
This program is open to recent law school graduates or young attorneys working in a law firm or in a judicial clerkship, fellowship, or internship.
Of those accepted, 25 each were assigned to the antitrust and civil divisions, and 10 were to work in the civil rights division. , according to the program's fact sheet.
A Justice Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The decision to withdraw the offer comes at a moment of uncertainty and upheaval in the sector. This is one of many moves expected in the coming days aimed at removing professional lawyers and freeze programs that use diversity rules to select applicants. Involved in migration planning.
Campbell Robertson and Erica L. Green reported.
