"After U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi was sworn in, Cheyenne Chambers recalls receiving numerous emails outlining new priorities, including a directive to 'vigorously [defend] presidential policies and actions against legal challenges.' This created a conflict for many attorneys who felt their ethical obligations were at stake."
"Chambers stated, 'I immediately thought, 'This is going to be a problem because I take my oath very seriously.' Being told that refusal to sign a brief could lead to discipline made her feel compelled to seek other employment."
In 2025, many federal lawyers resigned or were terminated due to ethical conflicts with directives from the Trump administration. The Department of Justice issued memos mandating attorneys to defend presidential policies, leading to discomfort among lawyers who felt their ethical obligations were compromised. Some lawyers opted for the deferred resignation program, while others faced unexpected layoffs. Cheyenne Chambers, a civil rights lawyer, expressed her struggle with the new directives, feeling pressured to choose between her job and her ethical standards.
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