A wave of senior departures is rattling the Department of Justice as political leaders demand a more aggressive campaign to advance President Donald Trump’s priorities during his final two years. A senior political official told U.S. attorneys Monday to adopt a “wartime footing” or consider leaving, according to two people familiar with the meeting.

The warning came shortly after Democrats swept the midterm elections. The department has since announced the exits of three presidentially appointed assistant attorneys general overseeing national security, civil rights and noncriminal cases, while four other senior political appointees have also departed.

Most left to obtain private sector jobs, but five sources familiar with the personnel discussions said some officials were pushed out because they failed to produce what Trump or the White House wanted. A DOJ spokesperson disputed that the departures had weakened the department and said the vacancies would quickly be filled.

During a conference call with U.S. attorneys, Aakash Singh, a top lieutenant to Attorney General Todd Blanche, said Democratic control of Congress in 2027 had placed the department on a wartime footing. Singh also said prosecutors unwilling to pursue Trump’s priority cases and projects aggressively should probably consider resigning, two people said.

Leah Foley, Trump’s U.S. attorney in Massachusetts, described Singh’s message as encouragement to ignore Democratic investigations and continue advancing Trump’s priorities. “I took it as a pep talk,” Foley said.

Foley said Singh encouraged U.S. attorneys to consider the current warlike environment and “reflect as to whether this is still the job that you want.” A DOJ spokesperson said the wartime reference concerned public safety and disputes between federal law enforcement and newly elected state and local leaders in several districts.

The spokesperson denied that Singh threatened to force anyone out. “Rather, he said some have chosen to leave for different reasons, and we want people to be successful. If they wished to take a different path now, that is up to them to decide, and DOJ would be supportive.”

Two people familiar with the departures said Jason Reding Quiñones, the former U.S. attorney in the Southern District of Florida, was removed after Trump grew tired of his failure to bring charges in a priority “grand conspiracy” case. The case targeted Obama administration officials, including former CIA Director John Brennan, over their investigation of Russian contacts with Trump’s first presidential campaign.

Another person disputed that explanation, saying Reding Quiñones encountered trouble because of frequent travel away from his office and insufficient instruction to prosecutors. John Eisenberg, the assistant attorney general for the National Security Division, was also pushed from his position.

Some sources said Eisenberg angered Trump by failing to approve more subpoenas for reporters in leak investigations. One government official disputed that account and said Eisenberg was removed because he lacked experience managing a large office.

Officials considering voluntary departures are also confronting the prospect of Democratic oversight when the party takes control of Congress in January. One outside Trump adviser said Democratic pressure was a factor because some administration loyalists wanted to pursue their work without enduring extensive preparation for oversight hearings.

Former administration officials also identified Stephen Miller’s promotion to chief of staff as a factor in the exodus. Miller has played a major role in the Justice Department since early 2025, often speaking directly with officials about priorities and execution of major agenda items.

“People at the department know what they are getting with Miller. He routinely berates people at the department on conference calls,” one former official said. A White House official responded that Miller oversees implementation of Trump’s agenda but does not run any agency, adding that Blanche is assembling a team reflecting the administration’s priorities.

Two former administration officials said Blanche’s management style and what one called “a culture of fear” contributed to some departures. The DOJ spokesperson rejected that description, saying, “There has never been a more accessible and understanding attorney general,” and arguing that anonymous sources were confusing effectiveness with fear.

Harmeet Dhillon, the departing assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division, had become frustrated after not receiving a promotion and informed the White House before the election that she intended to resign. Sources said she clashed with Blanche and Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward and complained to the White House about conditions inside the department.

Blanche announced late Tuesday that Craig Trainor would replace Dhillon. Brett Shumate, the departing assistant attorney general of the Civil Division, had represented the administration in cases involving Trump’s tariffs, mass firings in the Justice Department and immigration efforts, and sources said he was seeking to leave before the election.