Former U.S. Attorney Jake Struebing has voiced deep concerns over the Trump administration’s recent restructuring of the Department of Justice (DOJ), particularly its targeting of FBI employees involved in investigations related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Struebing, who spent over a year prosecuting individuals tied to the riot, warned that the administration’s actions could undermine the independence of federal law enforcement and jeopardize public safety.
The DOJ, now under the leadership of Attorney General Pam Bondi, has demanded information on thousands of FBI employees who worked on January 6-related cases.
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While the administration has denied plans for “mass firings,” termination letters have already been issued to some employees, citing their involvement in prosecuting individuals connected to the riot.
President Donald Trump has repeatedly characterized these prosecutions as a “grave national injustice,” a claim Struebing strongly refutes.
“January 6, 2021, was a grave national injustice,” Struebing said in a CNN interview. “I’ve spent the last year and a half prosecuting felony and misdemeanor defendants for their roles in the riot at the United States Capitol. Those prosecutions have been upheld by countless juries, grand juries, and federal judges in D.C. This is about upholding the rule of law, not politics.”
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Struebing expressed concern that the administration’s actions could politicize the DOJ and FBI, opening the door to the prosecution of perceived political enemies rather than focusing on legitimate criminal threats. “I’m deeply concerned about the independence of the Department of Justice and the FBI going forward,” he said. “The potential for targeting political opponents doesn’t make us any safer and doesn’t protect us from real criminals.”
He also highlighted the broader implications of firing FBI agents who worked on January 6 cases, noting that many of these agents are also involved in critical areas such as counterterrorism, violent crime, and child exploitation. “Firing them would make us less safe,” Struebing warned. “These agents are working on meritorious cases right now. Who’s going to bring those cases and ensure justice is served?”
Struebing suggested that the administration’s actions reflect a troubling trend of undermining law enforcement. “What we’re seeing is anti-law enforcement, anti-police,” he said. “It’s concerning because it erodes trust in the institutions designed to protect us.”
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The former U.S. attorney’s comments come amid a broader debate over the role of the DOJ and FBI under the Trump administration. Attorney General Bondi has pledged to depoliticize the department and review cases she believes were motivated by partisan agendas.
However, critics argue that her actions, including the establishment of a “Weaponization Working Group,” could further entrench political divisions within the agency.
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