A significant number of federal lawyers have left the Trump administration since early 2025, with many joining Democratic state attorneys general offices as blue states intensify their legal opposition to President Donald Trump's second-term policies.

Employment data analyzed by the New York Times shows that over 10,000 federal attorneys—about one fifth of all federal government lawyers—have departed their posts since 2025 began. A Fox News Digital review identified well over 100 of these attorneys who have since taken positions within Democratic attorneys general offices. Legal filings indicate some of these lawyers are actively involved in cases challenging the Trump administration.

Fox News Digital conducted an investigation using public LinkedIn profiles, state staff directories, statements from public officials, and court filings to track attorneys who left federal service after January 2025 and later appeared in Democratic legal roles.

The exodus has reportedly impacted the Trump administration's capacity to defend its immigration policies. Bloomberg Law reported in May that roughly a third of attorneys in the Office of Immigration Litigation, including many senior experts, have left since January 2025.

Despite these departures, federal agencies have hired approximately 3,200 attorneys during the same period, with the Trump administration encouraging ideologically aligned lawyers to apply for government roles.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell expressed pride in the coalition of Democratic attorneys general working daily to protect rights and uphold the rule of law. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield noted that many former federal attorneys are now directly involved in legal efforts opposing the Trump administration.

This shift in legal personnel comes as states collaborate across party lines to challenge executive actions, particularly following Supreme Court limitations on the power of lone federal judges to block such actions.

Sources