Arlington, Virginia—In a striking turn of events, a group of prosecutors who were dismissed from their posts at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Washington D.C. following the presidential inauguration have found themselves reunited in their commitment to public service. The four attorneys, including Monika Isia Jasiewicz, Carolyn Jackson, Jennifer Blackwell, and Sara Levine, now serve as assistant commonwealth attorneys in Arlington County, just a stone’s throw from the nation’s capital.
Jasiewicz, reflecting on her unexpected journey, recounted the surreal moment she received an invitation to the inauguration from her former Yale Law School classmate, JD Vance. Just days later, she and over a dozen colleagues received emails terminating their employment, marking an abrupt end to their roles in prosecuting those involved in the January 6 Capitol riot.
“It feels surreal to see my peers in leadership roles while being cast aside,” Jasiewicz remarked, as she and her colleagues began to navigate their new reality. The group, gathered regularly for lunch near the courthouse, has forged a bond through the common experience of losing positions they valued.
Jackson, another member of the group, had been actively engaged in prosecuting Capitol rioters when the new administration’s clemency orders rendered her cases void. “We can do good here,” she asserted, emphasizing their determination to contribute positively to their community despite the challenges they faced.
The four former U.S. prosecutors initially joined the Department of Justice in September 2023 to tackle the complex investigations stemming from the Capitol incident. Unfortunately, upon the transition to the new administration, they found themselves in a precarious position. Their roles were considered probationary, providing them with limited job protections.
As the White House asserted its authority in personnel matters, these attorneys entered a job market marked by uncertainty. In February, President Trump issued executive orders that targeted law firms hiring individuals related to the January 6 investigations, leading many firms to hesitate in engaging with these attorneys out of fear of potential backlash.
Having spent nearly a decade at a prominent law firm, Jasiewicz faced an unexpected hiring freeze that made it nearly impossible to secure meetings for new opportunities. On the night of her termination, Levine reached out to a former mentor, Parisa Dehghani-Tafti, the elected commonwealth attorney in Arlington. Dehghani-Tafti expressed eagerness to welcome Levine back to public service, highlighting her dedication to justice as a driving force behind her recruitment efforts.
Now, Jasiewicz, Levine, Jackson, and Blackwell are involved in a diverse array of cases, from minor offenses to serious criminal charges, while drawing on their rich backgrounds in the legal field. Dehghani-Tafti has praised their commitment to justice, noting their unwavering resolve and expertise.
Meanwhile, in D.C., new U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro is actively working to fill vacancies left by the departed prosecutors by recruiting from the military’s Judge Advocate General Corps. Jackson expressed her frustration, noting that the very roles being filled could have gone to those already trained and prepared for the positions.
Blackwell, who had spent over two decades at the Justice Department, described witnessing the mass dismissal of her colleagues as one of the most challenging moments of her career. “I felt powerless to protect them from what was ultimately coming,” she said, reflecting on the emotional toll of the situation.
As they continue their work in Arlington, the four attorneys hold hope that they can someday return to their former posts at the Justice Department and reclaim the fight for justice they believe in. “I truly believe that day will come, but it is not now,” Blackwell stated, as they work diligently to meet the needs of their community.
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