A high-ranking Justice Department official's sudden departure marks a significant shift in the oversight of politically sensitive investigations.
According to Reuters, Corey Amundson, who led the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section and oversaw critical public corruption cases, resigned Monday following his reassignment to a new Sanctuary City Working Group.
The reassignment affected approximately 20 career officials within the Justice Department, including key figures involved in the criminal investigations against former President Donald Trump. George Toscas from the National Security Division was among those reassigned, along with experienced attorneys from various divisions, including Criminal, Civil Rights, and Environment and Natural Resources.
Amundson's section played a crucial role in consulting with Special Counsel Jack Smith's office during the Trump investigations. Their involvement extended to providing guidance on specific charges and the timing of a revised indictment concerning Trump's alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. The Public Integrity Section's involvement was mandatory under Justice Department protocols.
During his tenure, which began under former Attorney General William Barr's leadership, Amundson maintained the section's reputation for nonpartisan law enforcement.
Barr, who later faced criticism from Trump for refusing to investigate unfounded election fraud claims, has since been labeled as part of the "deep state" by Trump's FBI director nominee, Kash Patel.
In his resignation letter, Amundson reflected on his dedication to impartial justice, stating:
I spent my entire professional life committed to the apolitical enforcement of the federal criminal law and to ensuring that those around me understood and embraced that central tenet of our work.
Throughout his 23-year career, Amundson oversaw numerous high-profile corruption investigations. His section handled cases against Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar, former Republican Congressman George Santos, and Fugees member Prakazrel "Pras" Michel.
The unusual nature of these reassignments has drawn attention from both current and former Justice Department officials. Career lawyers typically maintain their positions regardless of changes in presidential administration, making this wholesale reassignment particularly noteworthy.
A former senior Justice Department official expressed disappointment in Amundson's treatment, noting his exemplary service record. The impact of his departure on ongoing investigations and the department's ability to maintain nonpartisan oversight remains uncertain.
Corey Amundson, a veteran Justice Department official with 23 years of service, submitted his resignation following his reassignment to the Sanctuary City Working Group within the Associate Attorney General's office.
The move affected approximately 20 career officials, including those involved in Trump-related investigations and various sensitive cases across multiple divisions.
The unprecedented nature of these reassignments has raised concerns about the potential impact on the Justice Department's ability to maintain its traditional nonpartisan approach to law enforcement.
