Justice Department's 'Rubber Room' Silences Career Lawyers | JQJO

The Trump administration's restructuring of the Department of Justice led to the creation of a controversial "Sanctuary Cities task force", nicknamed the "rubber room." Seasoned civil rights, environmental, and national security lawyers were reassigned to this group, where they were given menial tasks and left idle, seemingly to coerce resignations. At least four lawyers filed complaints alleging waste, fraud, and abuse. This incident exemplifies a broader pattern of purging career lawyers deemed insufficiently aligned with the administration's agenda, causing significant damage to the department's expertise and morale. Critics warn of long-term consequences for American public service.