Harry Litman - An open letter to career federal prosecutors
Yesterday, I joined more than 900 former federal prosecutors in signing an open letter meant to express support, as best we can, to the remaining career staff who continue to be under ferocious assault from the new administration (you can read it below).
Nothing remotely like this has ever happened at the Department. Career prosecutors willingly serve under department leadership of all political stripes, but never—until now—under leadership that treats them with contempt and orders them to violate their oaths.
Prosecutors are also accustomed to outside criticism from defendants or even constituencies within the community who are quick to accuse them of bias or improper conduct. That, too, goes with the territory. And it has gotten far worse in the last ten years under the drumbeat of benighted ideologues like Donald Trump.
But within the Department, everyone understands the mission. Everyone understands the privilege of representing the United States. Everyone adopts, as second nature, the tenet of justice without fear or favor. The very, very few who ever depart from these ideals are reviled within their offices.
https://harrylitman.substack.com/p/an-open-letter-to-career-federal