Attorney Mark Paoletta delivered a blunt message to career lawyers within the Justice Department this week: get on board with President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda or start packing up.
Paoletta, who served as General Counsel for the Office of Management and Budget in Trump’s first administration, made his stance crystal clear in a recent social media post. His comments came in response to a POLITICO article claiming that DOJ attorneys are “terrified” about working under Trump again, supposedly debating whether his policy goals are serious intentions or mere “campaign bluster.”
Well, Paoletta’s here to tell them: it’s real, it’s lawful, and if they can’t support Trump’s lawful policies, they should step aside. The list of priorities Paoletta shared is nothing short of bold, aimed at restoring what he frames as law, order, and government accountability. According to him, DOJ employees should prepare to work on issues like securing the border, ending sanctuary city policies, deporting criminal illegal aliens, restoring order in cities plagued by left-leaning “soft on crime” policies, and putting a stop to political prosecutions that have, in his words, “destroyed our democracy.”
But Paoletta wasn’t done. He emphasized that Trump’s agenda includes pardoning those caught in what he calls politically motivated “lawfare,” particularly the January 6th defendants. And it doesn’t stop there. Paoletta made it clear that diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, which have made their way into nearly every government agency and institution, will be on the chopping block under Trump’s administration. He’s not shy about taking a stand against any form of race-based hiring or admission practices, saying these policies have strayed far from their original intent and are now more divisive than unifying.
Paoletta’s message also took a swipe at those DOJ attorneys who might feel they can resist or reshape Trump’s policy goals. He pointedly noted that the role of DOJ employees is to carry out the President’s agenda, not write it. They’re allowed to offer feedback—within reason—but if they intend to sabotage or resist, Paoletta said it’s time for them to leave. This isn’t about “resistance” for Paoletta; it’s about government employees doing their jobs, just as they would under any other administration.
MUST WATCH: @MarkPaoletta schools the Democrats on their politicization of the Supreme Court.
Blasts their attacks on Justice Thomas.
RT if you agree with him! pic.twitter.com/EXSZzHHUNh
— House Judiciary GOP 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@JudiciaryGOP) April 27, 2022
He couldn’t resist pointing out what he sees as a clear double standard. He reminded readers that DOJ attorneys didn’t appear to bat an eye when President Biden thumbed his nose at the Supreme Court’s ruling against his student loan forgiveness plan, only to turn around and push an alternative plan that’s also facing legal scrutiny. Paoletta made it clear he doesn’t recall any career DOJ officials having any qualms about assisting with what he called “blatantly illegal actions” under Biden’s administration, and he doesn’t plan to tolerate that kind of selective “resistance” under Trump.
In Paoletta’s view, the DOJ is not a platform for partisan maneuvering or bureaucratic resistance. Instead, it’s there to serve the President’s lawful agenda, which, he noted, was approved by “a landslide vote of the American People.” He closed with a final warning: DOJ employees who refuse to execute Trump’s agenda would be considered subverting democracy and could face disciplinary action, including termination.
For those DOJ employees who are less than thrilled about the prospect of working under Trump again, Paoletta’s message rings loud and clear: you have two choices—implement Trump’s policies or find the door. And while his tone might seem harsh, Paoletta is quick to remind everyone that government officials don’t get to pick and choose which President’s policies they feel like supporting.
