Attorney General Bondi Takes Swift Action Against DOJ Employee for Anti-Military Conduct

In a decisive move that underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to law enforcement respect and military support, Attorney General Pam Bondi has terminated a Department of Justice employee for conduct that officials describe as deeply inappropriate and unbecoming of a federal worker. The termination represents part of a broader effort to reshape the culture within the DOJ and eliminate what administration officials characterize as resistance to the president’s agenda.

The case has drawn significant attention not only for the nature of the employee’s actions but also for what it reveals about ongoing tensions within federal agencies as the Trump administration works to implement its vision for law enforcement and national security. The incident has sparked debates about workplace conduct, federal employee accountability, and the appropriate relationship between civil servants and military personnel.

The Incident That Led to Termination

Elizabeth Baxter, a paralegal specialist who worked in the DOJ’s environmental division, found herself at the center of controversy following a series of incidents involving National Guard members stationed in Washington, D.C. The events that would ultimately cost Baxter her job began on August 18, when she arrived at the department’s “4CON” building in Washington’s NoMa district.

According to official reports and security footage obtained by investigators, Baxter’s conduct toward military personnel was both unprofessional and deliberately provocative. Upon arriving at work that morning, she reportedly approached a DOJ security guard and boasted about an encounter she had just had with a National Guard member outside Metro Center. Her account of the incident, which included explicit language directed at the Guard, suggested she took pride in her disrespectful behavior.

The situation escalated when, at 12:18 p.m. that same day, DOJ security cameras captured Baxter in the act of making an obscene gesture toward a National Guard member while simultaneously shouting profanities. The footage, which became crucial evidence in the subsequent investigation, showed Baxter deliberately engaging in conduct that officials deemed wholly inappropriate for a federal employee.

But Baxter’s inappropriate behavior did not end with the August 18 incident. A week later, on August 25, she again approached a DOJ security guard to express her animosity toward the National Guard, using explicit language to describe her continued hostile interactions with military personnel. This pattern of behavior demonstrated what investigators characterized as a persistent and deliberate campaign of disrespect toward service members.

Perhaps most troubling to investigators was security footage that captured Baxter reenacting her disrespectful gesture for a security guard, apparently proud of her actions and eager to share her conduct with others. This behavior suggested not only a lack of remorse but an active celebration of conduct that violated basic standards of professionalism and respect expected of federal employees.

The Investigation and Response

Following reports of Baxter’s conduct, the Department of Justice launched a comprehensive investigation that involved multiple witnesses and extensive review of security footage. The investigation revealed a clear pattern of behavior that officials determined was incompatible with service in the federal government, particularly given the DOJ’s role in supporting law enforcement and national security operations.

Attorney General Bondi’s response was swift and unequivocal. “Today, I took action to terminate a DOJ employee for inappropriate conduct towards National Guard service members in DC,” Bondi announced, making clear that such behavior would not be tolerated under her leadership. The Attorney General’s statement emphasized the administration’s commitment to supporting military and law enforcement personnel.

“This DOJ remains committed to defending President Trump’s agenda and fighting to make America safe again. If you oppose our mission and disrespect law enforcement — you will NO LONGER work at DOJ,” Bondi declared, sending a clear message to other employees about the standards expected within the department.

The termination letter issued to Baxter was direct and final: “You are removed from your position of Paralegal Specialist, GS-0950-11, Environmental Defense Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division, and from the federal service, effective immediately.” The language of the termination left no room for appeal or reconsideration, reflecting the seriousness with which the administration viewed her conduct.

A Pattern of Resistance Within DOJ

Baxter’s termination was not an isolated incident but part of what appears to be a broader pattern of resistance within certain segments of the federal workforce. Her case bears striking similarities to that of Sean Charles Dunn, another DOJ paralegal who was recently dismissed for his own inappropriate conduct toward federal officers.

Dunn, who worked in the DOJ criminal division’s international affairs section, was involved in an incident on August 10 in Washington’s U Street corridor. According to reports and video evidence, Dunn confronted a group of federal officers deployed as part of President Trump’s crime crackdown initiative, hurling both verbal abuse and a Subway sandwich at the officers.

“F—k you! You f—king fascists! Why are you here? I don’t want you in my city!” Dunn reportedly shouted before throwing his salami sandwich at one of the officers. The incident was captured on video, providing clear evidence of his hostile and unprofessional conduct toward federal law enforcement personnel.

Attorney General Bondi’s response to Dunn’s behavior was equally decisive. “This is an example of the Deep State we have been up against for seven months as we work to refocus DOJ,” she tweeted after terminating Dunn. “You will NOT work in this administration while disrespecting our government and law enforcement.”

The legal proceedings against Dunn have proven complex, with a D.C. grand jury initially declining to indict him on felony assault charges, a decision that prosecutors characterized as a rebuke to the Trump Justice Department. However, prosecutors persisted and this week charged Dunn with misdemeanor assault, which carries a potential sentence of up to one year in jail.

Broader Administrative Changes

The terminations of Baxter and Dunn represent just one aspect of broader changes occurring across the federal government under the Trump administration’s second term. These personnel actions are part of what officials describe as a comprehensive effort to ensure that federal agencies are staffed with individuals who support the president’s agenda and maintain appropriate respect for law enforcement and military personnel.

The administration’s commitment to reshaping the federal workforce extends beyond individual terminations to more sweeping organizational changes. Last week, the administration implemented significant cuts at Voice of America, eliminating more than 500 positions at the taxpayer-supported U.S. government media outlet.

Kari Lake, acting CEO of VOA’s parent company, the U.S. Agency for Global Media, announced the layoffs on Friday, explaining that the cuts were implemented “at the President’s direction to help reduce the federal bureaucracy, improve agency service and save the American people more of their hard-earned money.”

Despite vehement objections from Democrats, Lake defended the decision as necessary for improving the agency’s effectiveness. “USAGM will continue to fulfill its statutory mission after this RIF — and will likely improve its ability to function and provide the truth to people across the world who live under murderous communist governments and other tyrannical regimes,” she stated.

The elimination of 532 full-time VOA positions represents what could be a fatal blow to the organization, which has faced repeated funding cuts and restructuring efforts. The move reflects the administration’s broader commitment to reducing what it characterizes as unnecessary federal bureaucracy while focusing resources on core governmental functions.

Implications and Future Outlook

The swift action taken against employees like Baxter and Dunn sends a clear message throughout the federal workforce about the standards expected under the current administration. These terminations represent more than simple disciplinary actions; they signal a fundamental shift in the culture and expectations within federal agencies.

For the Department of Justice specifically, these personnel actions align with Attorney General Bondi’s stated commitment to refocusing the department on supporting the president’s law enforcement and national security agenda. The message is clear: employees who actively oppose or disrespect the administration’s mission will not be tolerated.

The cases also highlight ongoing tensions within the federal workforce as the Trump administration works to implement its vision for government operations. While supporters argue that such actions are necessary to ensure effective governance and proper respect for law enforcement, critics contend that they represent an inappropriate politicization of the civil service.

As the administration continues its efforts to reshape federal agencies, these terminations are likely to serve as precedents for future personnel actions. The clear standards established through these cases suggest that federal employees who engage in conduct deemed disrespectful to military or law enforcement personnel can expect swift and decisive consequences.

The broader implications extend beyond individual cases to questions about the role of federal employees in supporting or opposing administrative policies. The administration’s actions suggest a low tolerance for what it characterizes as “Deep State” resistance, while emphasizing the importance of maintaining a federal workforce aligned with presidential priorities.

Moving forward, these cases will likely influence how federal employees approach their interactions with military and law enforcement personnel, as well as their public expressions of political views. The clear consequences demonstrated through the Baxter and Dunn terminations serve as a powerful reminder that federal employment comes with expectations of professionalism and respect for the institutions and personnel that serve the American people.

The Trump administration’s approach to federal workforce management, as exemplified by these terminations, reflects a broader philosophy about the role of government employees in supporting executive priorities. As these policies continue to be implemented, they will undoubtedly shape the culture and operations of federal agencies for years to come.