A Trump administration official tasked with vetting exceptionally loyal Justice Department candidates has been reassigned following heated clashes with Attorney General Pam Bondi’s team, multiple sources confirm. Paul Ingrassia, who privately called himself Trump’s eyes and ears at the DOJ, reportedly demanded ideological alignment with the former president’s agenda during hiring processes.
Sources describe escalating tensions between Ingrassia and Chad Mizelle, Bondi’s chief of staff, over control of personnel decisions. The conflict culminated in Mizelle restricting Ingrassia’s access to DOJ systems before his transfer to Homeland Security.
Everyone is working as one unified team to staff the DOJ with patriots,a White House spokesperson stated, despite evident friction.
Key developments:
- Ingrassia allegedly sought to install attorneys involved in Jan. 6 defense cases
- Mizelle filed formal misconduct complaints against judges challenging Trump policies
- Bondi’s Weaponization Working Group continues reviewing prior Trump investigations
The dispute highlights ongoing challenges as Trump appointees attempt to reshape federal agencies. Ingrassia’s rapid rise – from recent law graduate to influential liaison – and his ties to conservative legal groups underscore the administration’s prioritization of ideological allies.
Experts warn that strict loyalty tests could destabilize institutional knowledge at the DOJ, particularly given Ingrassia’s reported stance against officials who served under previous administrations. As Bondi publicly vows impartial justice, internal battles over personnel suggest competing visions for the department’s future.