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Politics|New Group Aims to Help Justice Dept. Employees Alarmed by Trump
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/31/us/politics/trump-justice-department.html
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The group, Justice Connection, intends to support employees who say they are facing professional and ethical crises under the new administration. It is likely to come under attack from Trump allies.
Jan. 31, 2025, 9:48 a.m. ET
As President Trump aims to radically reshape and reduce the federal work force, a new organization is forming that aims to support Justice Department employees who say they are facing professional and ethical crises in dealing with the administration’s orders.
The group, Justice Connection, is led by Stacey Young, a career federal prosecutor who stepped down last week as part of a wave of resignations and firings at the Justice Department after Mr. Trump’s return to power. For now, the group will focus on the department — but there are plans to replicate the model across other federal agencies.
The organization intends to provide guidance to remaining Justice Department employees on legal issues, whistle-blowing, leaking to the news media, aiding with digital and physical security and, if they resign, finding jobs in the private sector.
“The animus coming from the administration is unprecedented and terrifying,” said Ms. Young, an 18-year Justice Department veteran. “Most employees are terrified about the stability of their jobs. They’re worried about being fired or transferred or demoted or demeaned or doxxed. There are far more unanswered questions than answers right now, and the fear and confusion is palpable and may only grow.”
Ms. Young said she aimed to raise $1 million to maintain a staff of half a dozen people. They will eventually support employees in other federal agencies as well as the Justice Department, she said.
The group is likely to come under attack from members of the Trump administration and other Republicans, who have often railed against what they see as a “deep state” in Washington that is hostile to Mr. Trump’s political movement.
