Attorney General Pam Bondi has taken decisive action in recent departmental staffing decisions, signaling a tougher approach to internal conduct and perceived alignment with DOJ priorities. One high‑profile case involved Elizabeth Baxter, a DOJ paralegal in the Environmental Defense Division, who was terminated after she allegedly made obscene gestures toward deployed National Guard members in Washington, D.C. Reports indicate she raised her middle finger and used insulting language. Surveillance footage and internal investigations reportedly supported the decision.

Baxter’s dismissal came shortly after another controversial firing of a DOJ employee, Sean Charles Dunn, who was accused of throwing a sandwich at a Customs and Border Protection officer. Dunn faced misdemeanor charges, while Bondi framed these firings as part of a shift toward stricter behavioral standards—especially when it involves interactions with law enforcement. The DOJ has emphasized that these actions adhere to procedural norms and documented evidence, aiming to defend the legality of the terminations under federal employment rules.

These personnel decisions exemplify a broader cultural shift within the DOJ under Bondi’s leadership. The department appears increasingly focused on ensuring that employees’ conduct—especially toward law enforcement—is consistent with its mission and public roles. While supporters argue such measures strengthen accountability and decorum, critics caution they may stifle dissent, morale, or internal autonomy in the career federal workforce.