The Department of Justice (DOJ) under Donald Trump is considering a bold move that could restructure the way political prosecutions are handled — by decentralizing power from its controversial Public Integrity Section (PIN) and shifting responsibility back to local U.S. Attorneys’ Offices.
This internal shakeup is part of a DOJ-wide review and comes after a string of high-profile, failed prosecutions tied to the public integrity unit — sparking debates about partisan influence, prosecutorial misconduct, and federal overreach.
Public Integrity Section Under Fire
The Public Integrity Section, created after Watergate in 1976, was designed to prosecute corrupt public officials. However, it has faced intense scrutiny for its repeated failures in politically sensitive cases — many of which ended in acquittals, reversals, or dropped charges.
Among its most notable missteps:
- The conviction of former Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK), later dismissed due to prosecutorial misconduct.
- The failed prosecution of Sen. John Edwards (D-NC) on campaign finance violations.
- The overturned conviction of Gov. Bob McDonnell (R-VA) in a unanimous Supreme Court ruling.
From the website : Zuckerberg Strikes 20-Year Nuclear Energy Deal to Power AI Revolution — Meta Rescues Illinois Plant in Bold Move
These failures raised serious concerns about the fairness, consistency, and motives behind public integrity prosecutions.
“Main Justice shouldn’t be acting as a political referee,” said Joseph Moreno, a former federal prosecutor.
“Cases should be handled locally — not micromanaged by Washington.”
DOJ Considers Devolving Power to the Field
A DOJ official confirmed that changes to several divisions are under review, including the Public Integrity Section. The proposal would eliminate the requirement for U.S. Attorneys to route all political corruption cases through PIN, giving more autonomy to local prosecutors.
“The goal is to make sure responsibility is shared fairly across the field, not centralized in Washington,” the DOJ official said.
The Washington Post first broke the news in May, citing sources familiar with the DOJ’s plan. The reform could return decision-making power to regional prosecutors, ensuring cases are handled closer to the communities they impact.
Jack Smith’s Controversial Legacy
The review comes amid backlash against Special Counsel Jack Smith, who previously led PIN before spearheading multiple Trump-related investigations. Smith’s legal pursuits — which included cases over classified documents at Mar-a-Lago and January 6-related charges — were heavily criticized for their cost, partisan appearance, and eventual collapse after Trump’s electoral resurgence.
“There’s a direct personnel lineage from Jack Smith to current controversies,” said former federal prosecutor William Shipley, who called for a complete PIN cleanup earlier this year.
Prosecutorial Resignations and Internal Discontent
According to the Associated Press, five attorneys from the public integrity unit resigned in February after being ordered to drop corruption charges against Democratic NYC Mayor Eric Adams. The incident exposed internal rifts and added momentum to the DOJ’s ongoing review.
“These resignations suggest deep-rooted problems with the section’s decision-making and independence,” a DOJ insider shared anonymously.
Legal Experts Push for Change
Many legal professionals argue that it’s time to restructure the DOJ’s top-heavy approach. While some believe oversight is necessary to ensure nationwide consistency, others argue that centralized control fuels political bias and inefficiency.
“Main Justice should not be an administrative bottleneck,” Moreno explained.
“Let U.S. Attorneys — who were Senate-confirmed — do their jobs without political interference.”
Chris Gober, CEO of Lex Politica, echoed this sentiment, stressing that prosecutions of public officials should be based on facts, not political agendas.
“We’ve seen how overly partisan prosecutors can misuse their power. It’s time for new safeguards and decentralized authority,” Gober said.
From the website : Rashida Tlaib Slammed Over Tepid Response to Boulder Terror Attack — Critics Say Silence Would Have Been Better
Recent DOJ Actions Signal Shift
Even as reform discussions unfold, the DOJ has already taken action against several public officials in recent months. Among the cases:
- Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) was charged with interfering with law enforcement.
- NY Attorney General Letitia James is under FBI investigation for alleged mortgage fraud.
These ongoing probes show that political accountability remains a DOJ priority, but also highlight the need for greater transparency and procedural fairness.
What This Means for the Future of Political Prosecutions
If implemented, this DOJ restructuring could drastically reshape how corruption is prosecuted across America. By empowering local offices and reducing Washington’s control, the Justice Department may finally restore public trust in its mission to uphold the law — not pursue political vendettas.
As the Biden-era legal controversies continue to reverberate, Trump’s DOJ looks poised to overhaul a system many believe has strayed from its original purpose.
Discover more from Different Hub
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.