Resign or Get Fired? Trump Transition Lawyer Warns DOJ Officials to Back President’s Agenda or Leave

In a forceful message aimed at career officials within the Department of Justice, Trump transition attorney Mark Paoletta has delivered a stark ultimatum: support the incoming president’s policy agenda or prepare to resign — or even be terminated. Paoletta’s bold statement has stirred controversy within the DOJ and sparked fears of a sweeping personnel overhaul as Trump assumes office.

According to sources familiar with Paoletta’s comments, the attorney warned that loyalty to Trump’s policy objectives would be expected from all levels within the Justice Department. For those who cannot align themselves with the new administration’s direction, Paoletta suggested that the “appropriate course of action” would be resignation. The warning comes amid Trump’s pledge to reshape the federal bureaucracy and eliminate what he describes as an entrenched “deep state” resistant to his leadership.

“Advance Trump’s Agenda or Step Aside”

Paoletta’s remarks are emblematic of the administration’s broader approach to executive branch staffing. The Trump team has long voiced concerns over career officials allegedly obstructing their agenda. By cautioning DOJ lawyers to either back Trump’s policies or risk being ousted, Paoletta is sending a clear message about the administration’s expectations for loyalty and cooperation.

Sources close to the Trump transition team told reporters that Paoletta’s comments reflect the president’s commitment to a DOJ that prioritizes his “America First” policies, particularly on issues such as immigration, law enforcement, and criminal justice reform. “There’s a new direction now,” an insider explained. “For those unwilling to support that, their time at DOJ may be limited.”

Controversy Over Possible Purge of Career Officials

Paoletta’s warning has ignited a firestorm of criticism from legal professionals and civil rights advocates who argue that the move could compromise the DOJ’s independence. Critics claim that forcing career attorneys into an “agree or leave” situation could set a dangerous precedent, potentially eroding the department’s role as a neutral enforcer of the law.

“This is about more than just policy alignment,” stated Laura Bennett, a legal ethics expert at Georgetown Law. “If DOJ employees are expected to prioritize the political agenda over impartiality, it’s a significant threat to the integrity of our justice system.”

Bennett went on to say that compelling DOJ attorneys to follow Trump’s lead or face termination could disrupt longstanding legal frameworks that ensure justice for all Americans, regardless of the administration in power.

Trump’s Vision for DOJ Reform

The Trump administration’s stance on federal bureaucracy is no secret. Since the campaign, Trump has promised to address what he views as an entrenched resistance within federal agencies, often citing DOJ’s career officials as emblematic of this so-called “deep state.” Paoletta’s comments appear to reinforce Trump’s vision of a Justice Department redefined by loyalty to his administration’s ideals, rather than one bound to traditional bureaucratic independence.

Supporters See Needed Change, Critics Raise Red Flags

While some Republicans and Trump allies back the approach, seeing it as a necessary shake-up to an often slow-moving agency, others fear it could signal an era where federal law is increasingly subject to political influence. Trump loyalists believe that aligning DOJ operations with his policies is essential for implementing his campaign promises effectively.

For career DOJ officials, Paoletta’s words could represent a crossroads. The choice is stark: follow Trump’s agenda or step aside. As the administration moves forward, legal professionals and civil rights advocates will be closely watching how this approach unfolds within one of the country’s most influential institutions.

“Paoletta’s ultimatum is clear,” one source remarked. “For DOJ officials, it’s a choice between principle and survival — or as he put it, ‘support Trump’s agenda or get out!’”