Attorney General Pam Bondi made headlines on Friday when she announced the termination of a Justice Department employee accused of disrespecting National Guard members. This incident occurred amid President Donald Trump’s initiative aimed at reducing crime in Washington D.C. A Justice Department official confirmed the news, highlighting the seriousness of the allegations against the employee.
The employee in question, Elizabeth Baxter, served as a paralegal specialist within the department's Environment and Natural Resources Division. The termination memo issued by Attorney General Bondi, which has been verified by the DOJ, states that Baxter's employment was terminated due to her “inappropriate conduct towards National Guard service members.” The memo explicitly indicated that her dismissal from federal service was effective immediately.
According to reports, Baxter was seen and heard making vulgar gestures towards National Guard members and shouting at them on multiple occasions over the past two weeks. These allegations were first reported by the New York Post, although NBC News has not independently verified the claims. The Justice Department has emphasized the importance of maintaining respect for law enforcement personnel, which underscores the severity of Baxter's actions.
Gates McGavick, a spokesperson for the Justice Department, expressed support for Bondi's decision on social media platform X, stating, “If you don’t support law enforcement, Attorney General Pam Bondi’s DOJ might not be a good fit.” This statement reflects the administration's commitment to uphold the dignity and respect of law enforcement officials, particularly in a politically charged environment.
This incident marks the second termination by Attorney General Bondi in a short span of time for behavior deemed inappropriate towards law enforcement. Earlier this month, she dismissed another DOJ paralegal, Sean Dunn, after he was filmed throwing a sandwich at a Customs and Border Protection agent in a popular nightlife area of D.C. In her memo regarding Dunn's termination, Bondi emphasized, “You will NOT work in this administration while disrespecting our government and law enforcement.”
Initially, Bondi pursued felony charges against Dunn; however, a grand jury opted not to indict him, indicating a lack of probable cause for the charge. Instead, U.S. District Attorney Jeanine Pirro opted to charge Dunn with misdemeanor assault, reflecting the ongoing legal implications stemming from such incidents.
The recent firings within the Justice Department serve as a clear message from Attorney General Pam Bondi about the administration's zero-tolerance policy towards disrespectful behavior directed at law enforcement officials. As the nation grapples with complex issues surrounding law enforcement, the DOJ remains committed to maintaining a professional and respectful environment for all its employees.
