US President-elect Donald Trump is preparing to reshape the Department of Justice (DOJ), including firing attorneys involved in federal investigations against him and pursuing probes into alleged fraud during the 2020 election, The Washington Post reported Saturday. Trump's plans reportedly target career DOJ officials who were part of Special Counsel Jack Smith's investigations into two major cases: his retention of classified documents after leaving office in 2021 and alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. Trump has frequently described these investigations as politically motivated. "President Trump campaigned on firing rogue bureaucrats who have engaged in the illegal weaponization of our American justice system," press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. "The American people can expect he will deliver on that promise." In addition to restructuring the DOJ, Trump intends to reinstate "Schedule F," an executive order introduced during his first term that reclassifies certain career government employees to make it easier to fire them. President Joe Biden had reversed the order during his tenure, but Trump plans to bring it back despite anticipated legal challenges. Trump has also expressed interest in reigniting investigations into alleged election fraud during the 2020 presidential race, although sources cited by The Washington Post suggest these plans remain underdeveloped. Efforts to form investigative teams in swing states have reportedly stalled. Nonetheless, Trump continues to claim widespread election fraud, stating on Truth Social that those responsible for "rampant cheating" will face consequences. Trump has nominated Pam Bondi, a former Florida attorney general, to lead the DOJ after former Congressman Matt Gaetz withdrew his candidacy. "Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting crime and making America safe again," Trump said in a statement. Meanwhile, Special Counsel Jack Smith's team, which includes FBI agents and DOJ attorneys, is reportedly beginning to disband, with some members returning to previous roles. Trump, who defeated Democrat Kamala Harris earlier this month, is set to be inaugurated on January 20. However, his claims of election fraud remain unsubstantiated. — Agencies
