The Department of Justice became the subject of widespread ridicule on Saturday after an ex-official sought help with recruitment on his X account.
Chad Mizelle, who previously served as the chief of staff to the Department of Justice under Attorney General Pam Bondi and general counsel at the Department of Homeland Security in the first Trump administration, took to social media to encourage people to "DM" him to apply to become a pro-Trump prosecutor.
That set off alarms for numerous observers.
Conservative attorney George Conway chimed in with some Melania mockery, writing, "All you young lawyers should hold out until DOJ starts offering huge blocks of Melania movie tickets as recruiting bonuses."
Sean Marotta, Partner with Hogan Lovells's Appellate group, said, "Remember when DOJ used political affiliation in nonpartisan Honors Program hiring and it generated significant internal pushback and was a major scandal that roiled an Administration? I do."
Political strategist Jacob Perry said, "Nothing says 'our plan is working to perfection' quite like recruiting lawyers via Twitter."
An attorney known as Bird Law Expert said Saturday, "There was a time when being an AUSA would’ve been my dream job now they’re asking Trump fans to slide into their Twitter DMs."
Criminal defense lawyer Scott Greenfield remarked on the change with this administration:
"I can't remember the government ever having to stoop to this to get AUSAs. It used to be a job that lawyers sought out, not a job that lawyers fled."
Even far-right legal expert Ed Whelan noted on X, "It would be good to know if DOJ is taking the position that support for the president is a lawful criterion in hiring AUSAs."
Conservative former insider Gregg Nunziata said, "Now that Mizelle (the former Chief of Staff of the Trump Justice Department) is outside of government, he apparently feels free to confirm what we already know: the Administration is corrupting the DOJ into a personal tool of the president, ready to serve his whim (and wrath)."
Attorney Blake Allen added, "Becoming an AUSA is traditionally seen as a prestigious posting that often leads to senior government work, the first step in political careers or transition into white collar defense firms. The fact that they’re having to advertise on X DMs is not a good sign for competence."
Now that Mizelle (the former Chief of Staff of the Trump Justice Department) is outside of government, he apparently feels free to confirm what we already know: the Administration is corrupting the DOJ into a personal tool of the president, ready to serve his whim (and wrath). https://t.co/aE09KJDOwy
— Gregg Nunziata (@greggnunziata) January 31, 2026