Federal attorneys are shifting from the Trump administration to Democratic state attorney general offices in notable numbers, a recent investigation has uncovered. As blue states ramp up legal challenges to President Trump’s second-term agenda, over 10,000 federal attorneys have departed since early 2025—about one-fifth of the total federal legal workforce. Among them, more than 100 lawyers have transitioned to work for Democratic attorney general’s offices. Some of these lawyers are actively engaged in lawsuits opposing the Trump administration.
The analysis involved reviewing public LinkedIn profiles, state employee directories, and court documents to trace the movement of attorneys who left federal jobs after January 2025. However, it’s worth noting that the actual figure might be even higher since many federal employees don’t publicly maintain LinkedIn accounts.
Oregon Attorney General Dan Layfield commented on the trend, emphasizing that experienced attorneys from federal service are bringing their skills to state-level issues, addressing areas such as consumer protection and cases against federal overreach. Indeed, many of these lawyers have been enlisted to challenge various actions taken by the Trump administration, including legal battles concerning transgender medical care for minors and attempts to restrict research funding.
Interestingly, while not all of the departing lawyers are directly involved in these lawsuits, they can still play a crucial role in aiding Democratic attorneys general to counter parts of Trump’s agenda.
Collaboration between Democratic states appears to be a deliberate strategy to resist Trump’s policies. For example, officials have been coordinating on litigation efforts, contemplating which state should spearhead specific cases. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell expressed pride in being part of this coalition committed to defending rights and the rule of law.
In contrast, upwards of 63% of the lawyers who transitioned worked in civil rights and environmental law, indicating a specific inclination towards protecting public interests from federal policies. Many of these professionals held long-term roles within the federal government prior to their move.
A poignant instance involves an attorney with nearly two decades at the Department of Justice, who transitioned to being a senior assistant attorney general in Colorado to contest federal aid disputes under the Trump administration. Other high-profile departures reportedly include leadership figures from crucial federal departments.
Political commentator Richard Hanania suggested that under Trump, talented professionals are finding the conservative movement increasingly less appealing, pushing some to leave. He noted that it’s not just agreement that’s necessary for effective governance; it’s also having qualified individuals capable of achieving substantive goals.
Despite the mass exits, the Trump administration asserts that its efficiency isn’t being compromised. They claim to have prosecuted significantly more cases than the previous administration despite a decrease in the number of federal prosecutors.
Overall, while more than 10,000 federal attorneys have exited, the administration has also made efforts to recruit new attorneys aligned with their ideology. The strategic hiring aims to ensure a pool of talent that is not only capable but also dedicated to the administration’s objectives.
In light of these developments, the White House has characterized the departures as part of a natural transition, reinforcing the narrative that the administration is focused on reducing unnecessary personnel while fostering an effective team committed to tackling crime and protecting public safety.
