Corey Amundson, a senior Justice Department official overseeing public corruption cases, resigned Monday after the Trump administration reassigned him to work on immigration issues. In his letter to Acting Attorney General James McHenry, Amundson reflected on 23 years of service, emphasizing his commitment to apolitical law enforcement.
Amundson was among 20 career officials reassigned last week to a new Sanctuary City Working Group in the Associate Attorney General’s office. This group includes attorneys from divisions like Criminal, Civil Rights, and National Security, marking an unusual shake-up for senior career lawyers, typically unaffected by political shifts.
Amundson and George Toscas, another reassigned official, had ties to criminal investigations involving Donald Trump, including classified records retention and efforts to overturn the 2020 election. Special Counsel Jack Smith, who led these cases, noted frequent collaboration with Amundson’s Public Integrity Section, particularly on legal strategies and indictment timing.
Amundson, appointed during Trump’s first term under Attorney General William Barr, also handled major cases against figures like Democratic Congressman Henry Cuellar, former Republican Congressman George Santos, and rapper Prakazrel “Pras” Michel.
Amundson’s resignation letter did not address the Trump investigations. However, his departure follows tensions over the department’s handling of politically sensitive cases, with critics questioning the reassignments’ motives. A former senior DOJ official praised Amundson’s service, calling his treatment unjust.
This reshuffling underscores ongoing struggles within the Justice Department over its independence amid political pressures.
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