Officials in President Donald Trump’s administration are being mocked after using direct messages on X to recruit federal prosecutors. Many critics are calling this move desperate and embarrassing. Chad Mizelle, who works as the acting general counsel for the Department of Homeland Security and previously served as Chief of Staff for the Department of Justice under Trump, started this recruitment effort.
According to Mediaite, Mizelle posted a public call asking lawyers interested in joining the mission and doing good for the country to reach out. The requirements Mizelle listed raised concerns right away. He asked lawyers who want to become an Assistant United States Attorney (AUSA) to DM him if they “support President Trump and anti-crime agenda.”
Mizelle said the DOJ is hiring across the country and needs “good prosecutors.” White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller backed the call, telling lawyers to apply if they want to fight “fraud, crime and illegal immigration,” adding that “Patriots needed.”
This recruiting approach shows a major shift in how the DOJ fills important positions
The effort started with an embarrassing mistake. Mizelle told people to DM him, but users quickly noticed his direct messaging function was turned off. He had to fix this problem before recruitment could even start properly.
This hiring method has received heavy criticism, especially from the legal community. Getting a prosecutor job at the DOJ used to be one of the most respected positions a lawyer could get. It was the type of job that brought in the best legal professionals and often served as a stepping stone for future political careers or high-paying jobs at defense firms.
Criminal defense attorney Scott Greenfield expressed the shock many lawyers feel. He said, “I can’t remember the government ever having to stoop to this to get AUSAs. It used to be a job that lawyers sought out, not a job that lawyers fled.”
Another person mentioned they remember when lawyers used to wait in line just for the chance to apply. This unusual recruitment approach is just one of several controversial decisions made by Trump’s administration that have raised eyebrows recently.
Legal experts are also questioning the political requirements mentioned in Mizelle’s post. Many wonder if supporting the president’s agenda is now an official requirement for getting a federal prosecutor position, regardless of skill or non-partisan status. Lawyer Ed Whelan said it would be good to know if the DOJ is actually taking the position that support for the president is a lawful criterion in hiring AUSAs.
Social media users made fun of the unusual recruitment method. Some said the approach felt more like a scam than a serious government hiring process. One user wrote, “If I can convince my uncle to leave his bunker would you be willing to hire him? He’s a self-taught lawyer.” Others suggested trying cheap advertising options next, like billboards or classifieds. One person joked, “have they tried putting an ad on Craigslist?” The backlash comes as Trump’s recent foreign policy moves continue to spark debate internationally.
Published: Feb 2, 2026 02:15 am