Trump's DOJ tries to combat staff exodus with big bonuses: report
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche speaks during a press conference at the Justice Department in Washington, D.C., on April 7, 2026. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

The Justice Department is offering $25,000 signing bonuses and retention incentives ranging from $60 to $220 per pay period through Thanksgiving to address critical staff shortages.

The bonuses target positions investigating youth transgender treatments and advancing the Trump administration's immigration agenda, according to Bloomberg Law.

The Civil Division, responsible for defending presidential policies in court, announced the retention allowance through an internal email. The exodus follows former Attorney General Pam Bondi's directive requiring all lawyers to unquestioningly defend administration policies, prompting experienced attorneys to resign.

The DOJ has begun hiring recent law school graduates for major litigation despite repeatedly losing court cases over subpoenaing pediatric hospital data on minors receiving gender dysphoria treatment. The department also relaxed hiring requirements in March, eliminating the longstanding mandate that prosecutors have at least one year of legal experience, further indicating desperation to fill positions.

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