DOJ Ethics Attorney Joseph Tirrell Fired After Training Pam Bondi on Ethics Rules
Joseph Tirrell, the Department of Justice's top ethics attorney who had trained Pam Bondi on department ethics rules, was fired on July 11. The dismissal notice, signed by Bondi, provided no reason for his termination. Tirrell is suing the department, characterizing his firing as a warning that employees must comply or risk losing their jobs, reflecting a broader climate of political interference within the DOJ.
Prior to his dismissal, Tirrell had approved or signed off on Jack Smith receiving pro bono legal services from a private firm, which he believed complied with ethics regulations. Bondi’s ethics training addressed multiple topics, but she and her staff concentrated mainly on whether she could accept a commemorative challenge coin, rather than other ethics questions.
The discussions also covered various gifts including Conor McGregor cigars, valued above acceptable limits, which were ultimately destroyed along with their box. Other gifts included a FIFA scarf, a 2025 World Cup soccer ball—which was accepted on behalf of the department—and FIFA World Cup final tickets. Bondi attended a FIFA event with former President Trump, raising questions regarding impartiality and security considerations.
A DOJ spokesperson stated that there is no current proposal to deploy private pro bono funds to hire private lawyers. Tirrell noted that a broader wave of career federal dismissals has fostered fear among nonpartisan staff within the department.
