Trump calls exodus of 10,000 federal lawyers 'very good' but many are now working against him

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Sunday, May 31, pushed back against reports detailing a large-scale departure of federal government lawyers, arguing that the loss of legal personnel is beneficial rather than harmful to his administration. He dismissed concerns, describing many of the exiting lawyers as politically opposed to his administration.  

His remarks came after a New York Times report found that more than 10,000 attorneys have left federal service since the beginning of 2025, reducing the government's legal workforce by roughly 17%.

Trump calls departures ‘very good’ as NYT report details scale of exodus

Responding to the New York Times report, Trump argued that the departures should be viewed positively.

"The New York Times wrote a story today entitled, 'Trump Administration Sees Striking Exodus of Legal Talent,' as though that’s a bad thing, when actually, it’s very good," Trump wrote on Truth Social. 

“The people that are leaving are Radical Left Deep State Lunatics, who are destroying our Country, and Weaponizing Government. Many of them didn’t leave, but were fired!” the president insisted. "The Failing New York Times writes this, but makes it sound like it’s a terrible thing when actually, it’s just the opposite."

"We want people that will, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, not people that are trying to destroy our Country, that were put in by Obama and Biden and, in many cases, they shouldn’t have been representing the U.S.A. in the first place," he added. 

As of March 2026, the federal government employed approximately 37,000 civilian attorneys, 17% less than at the end of 2024. The reduction represents nearly one out of every five federal lawyers leaving within roughly fifteen months.

While some departures were attributed to retirements and routine turnover, the report cited staffing reductions, agency restructuring efforts, and resignations from attorneys who objected to administration policies.

Some agencies experienced even steeper proportional losses. The Department of Education lost 53% of its attorneys, while the Department of Housing and Urban Development saw approximately 40% of its legal workforce depart during the same period.

The report also noted that several career government attorneys who served during Trump's first term described the current environment as significantly different from previous administration transitions. Some cited concerns over pressure surrounding the implementation of major policy initiatives.

Moreover, it says many of the lawyers are now "flocking to the offices of Democratic state attorneys general and nonprofits that are challenging administration policies in the courts, boosting Mr. Trump’s opponents with seasoned lawyers."

Why the shrinking federal legal workforce could affect Americans

Federal lawyers play a central role in defending government policies when challenged in court, reviewing regulations, enforcing civil rights laws, pursuing fraud cases, and ensuring agencies operate within legal boundaries. Fewer attorneys can mean fewer resources available to handle those responsibilities.

For many Americans, the effects may be practical rather than political. Fair housing complaints can take longer to process. Workplace safety enforcement actions may move more slowly. Civil rights investigations can face delays. Special education disputes, consumer protection cases, and veterans' claims may require longer review periods when agencies have fewer lawyers available to manage legal workloads.

Former HUD attorney Erik Heins, who was dismissed after raising concerns about staffing changes, said the impact is straightforward. “Without lawyers, there are a lot of things that just can’t get done,” he said. 

The administration has simultaneously sought to recruit new legal talent. The Justice Department has reportedly offered signing incentives and adjusted hiring standards in an effort to fill vacancies. The Department of Education has also moved to restore some legal staffing after acknowledging backlogs in civil rights complaints and other cases.

The White House did not directly address the NYT's questions about what has led so many lawyers to leave.

In a statement, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said that the Trump administration "remains totally dedicated to empowering and hiring hard-working Americans who are committed to public service and delivering on the president’s many promises to the American people."

"The individuals who are hired are extremely qualified and talented," she added.