Mass departures from Justice Dept. are boon for law firms, legal groups and political campaigns
CBSN
Michael Romano, a former federal prosecutor, is used to asking the questions in court, but now he's finding himself on the other side, fielding the questions from witness tables at congressional hearings.
Michael Romano, a former federal prosecutor, is used to asking the questions in court, but now he's finding himself on the other side, fielding the questions from witness tables at congressional hearings.
Twice already this year, he's served as a witness at congressional hearings, warning that the Trump administration's efforts to demote or fire Justice Department prosecutors who worked on cases involving President Trump or the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol riot pose a threat to democracy.
"It is an honor to speak with you today," Romano said at a recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing about federal investigations, as he sat in a black leather armchair at the witness table behind a placard identifying him for the senators.
Romano is one of more than 5,000 employees who have resigned, retired or been fired from the Justice Department in the first year of Mr. Trump's second administration. The large-scale purge – with both voluntary and involuntary departures – has gutted the agency of its institutional memory and long experience.
The historic turnover has proven to be a treasure trove for private firms, local prosecutor's offices and political campaign operatives.
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Michael Romano, a former federal prosecutor, is used to asking the questions in court, but now he's finding himself on the other side, fielding the questions from witness tables at congressional hearings.