Pam Bondi Fires Top Justice Department Ethics Official in Ongoing DOJ Shakeup
Attorney General Pam Bondi has dismissed Joseph Tirrell, a senior ethics official at the Department of Justice (DOJ), who was tasked with overseeing ethics and compliance matters for top officials, ABC News confirmed on Monday. The termination adds to a growing list of recent dismissals involving DOJ personnel previously connected with high-profile investigations.
Tirrell publicly announced his unexpected termination on LinkedIn, sharing a photo of his dismissal letter dated last Friday. The document offered no explicit reasons for his removal.
“Until Friday evening, I was the senior ethics attorney at the Department of Justice responsible for advising the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General directly on federal employee ethics,” Tirrell stated in his post. “I was also responsible for the day-to-day operations of the ethics program across the Department.”
This dismissal aligns with an emerging pattern under Attorney General Bondi's tenure. Over the past several weeks, more than 20 DOJ officials, many of whom worked on investigations linked to former special counsel Jack Smith's prosecution of President Donald Trump, have faced similar removals.
Joseph Tirrell joined the DOJ's Ethics Office in 2023 after a distinguished career in public service. His professional journey included serving as a United States Naval Officer and various ethics-related roles within the FBI since 2006. As director of the Ethics Office, Tirrell was responsible for overseeing regulations related to conflicts of interest, financial disclosures, and recusal requirements for DOJ personnel.
Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks during a cabinet meeting hosted by US President Donald Trump in the Cabinet Room of the White House in Washington, July 8, 2025.
The specific reasons for Tirrell's abrupt dismissal remain unclear. However, observers note the timing may relate to recent controversies. Notably, Tirrell had authorized former special counsel Jack Smith's acceptance of $140,000 in pro bono legal services, officially signing off on the arrangement as compliant with federal ethics rules.
Tirrell's firing occurs in a broader context of scrutiny under interim D.C. U.S. Attorney Ed Martin, who currently leads the Justice Department's “Weaponization Working Group,” a body closely examining past DOJ investigative actions. This group has been especially critical of staff involved in the probes into President Trump and the January 6th Capitol riots, leading to further personnel turnover.
Both Tirrell and the DOJ declined ABC News' requests for additional comments. As Attorney General Pam Bondi continues reshaping the Justice Department's personnel landscape, further changes are anticipated.
