US Attorney General Fires Top Ethics Adviser Amid Trump-era Retaliations

Pam Bondi, the attorney general of the United States, has terminated Joseph Tirrell, who served as the head of the justice department's ethics office, in a move seen as part of a broader initiative targeting civil servants amid the Trump administration's efforts for retribution. Tirrell confirmed his firing on LinkedIn, sharing a letter from Bondi that contained a spelling error regarding his name and lacked an explanation for the dismissal.

In his LinkedIn post, Tirrell expressed his commitment to public service, stating that his role as a Federal civil servant is far from over. He emphasized the significance of his oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States, highlighting that this commitment endures regardless of convenience. As the chief of the ethics office, he was responsible for overseeing financial disclosures and compliance with ethical standards for Bondi and other high-ranking officials in the department.

Tirrell's termination aligns with a series of firings initiated by Bondi, specifically targeting employees involved with Jack Smith’s inquiries into Trump and the events of January 6. This trend includes the dismissal of career prosecutors and support staff, coinciding with the appointment of Ed Martin, an advocate for January 6 rioters, to head a working group focusing on alleged abuses by officials who investigated Trump. While the exact reasons for Tirrell's dismissal remain ambiguous, reports indicate that he previously authorized significant legal services for Smith before his resignation.