Federal lawyers are leaving the Trump administration and joining Democratic state attorneys general's offices as these states increase their legal opposition to the president's second-term agenda. A review by Fox News Digital found that over 10,000 federal attorneys, about 20% of the federal legal workforce, have departed since the beginning of 2025. More than 100 of these lawyers have taken positions with Democratic attorneys general, becoming involved in cases against the Trump administration.
The review utilized public LinkedIn profiles, state staff directories, and court filings to track these transitions, although it does not clarify the reasons for individual departures. The actual number of federal attorneys moving to Democratic offices may be higher, as not all federal employees maintain public LinkedIn accounts.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield noted that many experienced lawyers from the U.S. Department of Justice are now contributing to state-level legal efforts, including consumer protection and environmental litigation. Court documents indicate that several former federal attorneys are now working on lawsuits challenging various Trump administration policies, including those related to healthcare for minors and federal grant terminations.
Democratic attorneys general have been collaborating closely to coordinate legal strategies against the Trump administration, meeting regularly to discuss joint lawsuits and public engagement. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell emphasized the importance of this coalition in protecting rights and the rule of law.
The exodus of federal attorneys, particularly those with expertise in civil rights, immigration, and environmental law, represents a significant shift in legal talent from the federal government to Democratic states. Many of these lawyers had long careers in federal service before transitioning to state roles.
The Trump administration has acknowledged the departures but maintains that its legal operations remain effective, citing the number of indictments and other achievements during this period. The administration has also made efforts to recruit new attorneys aligned with its priorities, hiring approximately 3,200 new lawyers since January 2025. The majority of departing attorneys came from agencies such as the Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency, with California, Maryland, New York, and Colorado being common destinations for these lawyers.