DOJ Campaign Donations Still Lean Democratic Despite Trump Personnel Overhaul
Federal records reveal that the vast majority of political contributions from individuals identifying as Justice Department employees still flow to Democratic committees.
At a glance
- About 75 percent of political contributions from individuals identifying as DOJ employees went to Democratic committees between January 2025 and August 2026.
- The proportion of donations to Democratic committees rose from roughly 70 percent in 2025 to just under 90 percent in 2026.
- The Trump administration has sought to reshape the Justice Department through recruitment appeals and personnel departures.
Efforts by the Trump administration to reform the Department of Justice have not altered the political leaning of campaign contributions made by its workforce. An analysis of federal campaign finance records shows that the vast majority of donations from individuals listing the DOJ as their employer continue to go to Democratic-aligned committees.
From the start of January 2025 through August of this current year, roughly 75 percent of tracked contributions originating from self-identified DOJ donors backed Democratic candidates and groups. The figures demonstrate a widening gap as the administration progresses, with the share of Democratic donations climbing from about 70 percent in 2025 to nearly 90 percent in 2026.
Personnel and recruitment shifts
The administration has actively sought to align the agency's workforce with presidential priorities. In early 2026, Chad Mizelle serving as DOJ chief of staff issued a public call urging lawyers backing Donald Trump to apply for federal prosecutor positions, an appeal amplified by administration figures including Stephen Miller.
Concurrently, the agency has experienced departures, with over 10,000 attorneys leaving federal service since the start of the second term. Some departing lawyers have taken positions in Democratic-led state attorney general offices or joined legal challenges against administration policies.
Administration and Critic Statements
Attorney General Todd Blanche and his predecessor, Pam Bondi, have asserted that the administration inherited an agency affected by political bias under President Joe Biden. A DOJ spokeswoman stated that personnel departures and options offered to career staff were intended to reduce government size and remove individuals who did not align with the mission.
Conversely, critics have defended past investigations involving conservatives as legally grounded, while progressive critics have alleged that the current administration is utilizing the department to target political opponents.
Campaign finance data
The campaign finance data covers roughly $300,000 in contributions recorded by the Federal Election Commission from donors identifying as DOJ employees. Prominent recipients included Democratic lawmakers such as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Jon Ossoff, alongside groups like Emily's List, though donations were also directed to conservative committees including Donald Trump's network of political action committees.
While the records illustrate the donation patterns of participating individuals, they do not establish whether employees' personal political preferences have impacted the day-to-day operations of the department.
What to watch: Future federal campaign finance filings and further personnel adjustments within the Department of Justice.
Reporting from: Fox News. Spotted an error? Tell us.
- Department of Justice
- Campaign Finance
- Donald Trump
- Todd Blanche
- Federal Election Commission
- United States
- Politics