Are the Mass Resignations at the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division a Sign of a Broken System?

In a stunning development, the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division is facing a wave of resignations—with at least six top prosecutors, including supervisors in the criminal section, stepping down amid growing frustration over the handling of the fatal shooting of a Minneapolis woman by a federal immigration agent. But what’s really behind this exodus, and what does it mean for the future of civil rights enforcement in the United States?

Why Are Prosecutors Leaving Now?

The resignations were announced during a staff meeting this week, shortly after career prosecutors learned that the Justice Department would not pursue a criminal civil rights investigation into the shooting of Justine Damond Good by ICE officer Jonathan Ross. Despite offers to prioritize the case, prosecutors were told the incident would instead be treated as an assault on a federal officer—a decision that effectively reframes Ross as the victim, not Good.

But why would the department shift its approach? And why are prosecutors so angry about it?

What Happened in Minneapolis?

The shooting occurred when Ross fired three shots at Good’s vehicle as she attempted to drive away. Video footage suggests officers did not immediately provide emergency medical care after the shooting, and another video shows them preventing a man who identified himself as a doctor from approaching her. Ross had also been involved in a prior incident six months earlier, where he was dragged by a car during an arrest attempt in Bloomington, Minnesota.

Despite these details, senior Trump administration officials, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, have publicly blamed Good, claiming she was trying to assault Ross with her vehicle. However, legal experts argue that the video evidence shows the car was turning away from Ross, justifying a civil rights probe.

“Just looking at the totality of the evidence, there’s enough there to warrant a criminal inquiry into whether Ms. Good’s rights were deprived under color of law,” said Julius Nam, a former federal civil rights prosecutor in Los Angeles.

So, why isn’t the Justice Department investigating?

Is Political Interference to Blame?

The resignations aren’t just about Minneapolis. Prosecutors are also frustrated with broader political interference in the division’s work. For example:

• In the case of a former Louisville police officer convicted of violating Breonna Taylor’s civil rights, political appointees assigned a new prosecutor who requested a one-day sentence—a request later rejected by a judge who imposed a 33-month term.
• The division abruptly sought to dismiss a case against two Tennessee sheriff’s office officials accused of excessive force and covering up misconduct, just days before trial.

Are these decisions part of a pattern? And how much are they contributing to the mass exodus?

How Bad Is the Staffing Crisis?

The Civil Rights Division has already seen significant turnover since last year, when political leadership shifted its focus away from protecting vulnerable populations. While the criminal section had been relatively stable compared to other divisions—which lost about 75% of their staff in 2025—the latest resignations, including that of the section’s chief, suggest a tipping point.

Several prosecutors are taking advantage of an early retirement program offered to officials in the section. For some, the lack of action in Minneapolis was the final straw, prompting them to announce their departures publicly.

But what does this mean for the division’s ability to function effectively?

What Does the Civil Rights Division Actually Do?

The criminal section is responsible for prosecuting hate crimes, excessive use of force by law enforcement, sexual misconduct, false arrests, and deliberate indifference to serious medical needs. Its work has been critical in holding officers accountable, most notably in the prosecution of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin for the murder of George Floyd in 2020.

If experienced prosecutors are leaving in droves, who will be left to handle these high-stakes cases?

What’s the NAACP Saying?

NAACP President Derrick Johnson has raised serious concerns, stating, “If visible incidents like the Minneapolis shooting aren’t subjected to full, impartial investigations that seek accountability, we have to wonder how many other cases are going unreported or being deliberately obscured by an administration that’s no longer even trying to hide its agenda to silence dissent.”

Is this a fair assessment? Or is there more to the story?

What’s Next for Civil Rights Enforcement?

While U.S. Attorney’s offices can investigate excessive force cases, the Minneapolis shooting would likely be deemed a matter of national significance due to its fatal outcome. Under Justice Department guidelines, the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division is supposed to coordinate with local U.S. Attorney’s offices in such cases.

But with the current administration’s approach, can we expect meaningful accountability? Or is this just the beginning of a broader erosion of civil rights protections?