Attorney General Pam Bondi took decisive action last week by firing Elizabeth Baxter, a paralegal in the Department of Justice’s Environmental Defense Section, following multiple incidents of misconduct directed at National Guard members stationed in Washington, D.C. The final straw came on August 18, when Baxter reportedly made obscene gestures toward a National Guard soldier while commuting to the DOJ’s 4CON building in the NoMa district. According to Bondi, Baxter told a DOJ security officer that she had deliberately “flipped off” the guardsman and stated, using explicit language, “F—k the National Guard.” Security footage from the same day corroborated her behavior, showing her raising her middle finger and shouting at the service member. The incidents did not end there, as Baxter repeated similar behavior to a DOJ security officer on August 25, again directing offensive language toward the National Guard. Bondi described the behavior as intolerable and emphasized that federal employees who fail to respect law enforcement or military personnel would no longer remain in government service under her leadership.

Baxter’s termination came shortly after another controversial firing in the same building. Sean Charles Dunn, a paralegal in the DOJ’s Criminal Division International Affairs Section, gained national attention when he allegedly threw a Subway salami sandwich at a Border Protection officer in D.C.’s U Street area on August 10. Dunn reportedly shouted profanity-laden statements, including accusations of “fascism” and resistance to federal law enforcement officers, before throwing the sandwich. The incident prompted widespread criticism and raised concerns about employee conduct in sensitive federal environments. While a grand jury initially declined to indict Dunn on felony assault charges, prosecutors subsequently filed misdemeanor assault charges against him, which carry potential jail time of up to one year. Bondi highlighted the connection between these incidents, framing them as symptomatic of a broader challenge in maintaining discipline and respect within the Department of Justice during a period of significant administrative and political transition.

In the case of Baxter, Bondi’s response included a formal investigation that involved reviewing DOJ security footage, interviewing witnesses, and assessing Baxter’s repeated misconduct. The investigation confirmed that Baxter not only made offensive gestures and statements but also demonstrated the gesture to a security guard, indicating a level of premeditation and defiance toward law enforcement personnel. After compiling this evidence, Bondi issued an immediate termination letter, removing Baxter from her position as Paralegal Specialist, GS-0950-11, in the Environmental Defense Section, effective immediately. In a statement to the media, Bondi underscored that her actions were intended to protect the integrity of the DOJ, reinforce accountability, and signal that disrespect toward law enforcement or military personnel would not be tolerated, regardless of an employee’s rank, tenure, or political beliefs. She emphasized the broader goal of ensuring that the DOJ could continue to carry out its mission without internal disruption.

The Baxter and Dunn cases highlight broader challenges the DOJ faces in maintaining professional standards within its workforce during periods of high-profile political scrutiny. Both employees’ actions, while individually isolated, reflect a concerning pattern of misconduct toward federal law enforcement and military personnel. Legal experts note that such behavior can undermine morale, compromise operational efficiency, and erode public confidence in federal institutions tasked with enforcing the law. Bondi’s swift response to terminate Baxter demonstrates a deliberate effort to reaffirm the department’s commitment to lawful conduct and respect for the chain of command. Moreover, it reinforces the principle that federal employees are expected to conduct themselves with professionalism and civility, particularly when interacting with officers who play critical roles in national security and public safety.

Beyond these personnel controversies, the Department of Justice has simultaneously been engaged in high-profile criminal enforcement initiatives, illustrating its broader operational scope. For instance, Operation Grayskull, a major joint investigation conducted with the FBI, successfully dismantled four dark web platforms involved in the distribution of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). This initiative led to 18 convictions across multiple federal jurisdictions, including a notable sentencing last week: 52-year-old Thomas Peter Katsampes of Eagan, Minnesota, received a 250-month prison sentence, a lifetime of supervised release, and a restitution order of $23,000 for his role in promoting and distributing child pornography. Katsampes’ activities included moderating illegal websites, enforcing sharing rules, and instructing others on distributing material depicting prepubescent children. Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti praised the outcome, stating that the relentless efforts of prosecutors and law enforcement partners ensured that these perpetrators faced accountability, disrupted their operations, and brought justice to countless victims, demonstrating the DOJ’s ongoing commitment to protecting vulnerable populations.

The juxtaposition of high-stakes criminal investigations and internal personnel issues underscores the complex operational environment faced by the Department of Justice. While the agency continues to secure convictions against dangerous offenders and dismantle criminal networks, incidents like those involving Baxter and Dunn reveal vulnerabilities in workplace culture, employee oversight, and the enforcement of professional standards. Bondi’s decisive actions serve not only as corrective measures but also as symbolic reminders that misconduct, particularly when it disrespects law enforcement or service members, will have immediate consequences. Together, these developments reflect the DOJ’s dual mandate: to uphold the law externally through rigorous investigation and prosecution, and to maintain integrity, discipline, and accountability internally among its own personnel. Bondi’s leadership in addressing these issues signals her intent to ensure that all employees adhere to the ethical and professional standards expected in the federal service, fostering an environment where justice can be administered effectively and without internal disruption.