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Trump’s Pardons Are Part Of Remaking DOJ

In 2025, President Donald Trump issued a series of high-profile pardons and commutations, notably surpassing his previous clemency record (143 pardons and 85 commutations). A significant action was the mass pardon on January 20, 2025, for approximately 1,500 individuals convicted in connection with the January 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack. This included full pardons for leaders of extremist groups such as the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers.

New Leadership Addresses Bureau Of Prisons Employee Misconduct

It has been nearly five years since Associated Press journalists Michael Balsamo and Michael Sisak reported on the number of Federal Bureau of Prisons employees who had been arrested for criminal acts. The charges ranged from a warden indicted for sexual abuse, an associate warden charged with murder, guards taking cash to smuggle drugs and weapons, and supervisors stealing property such as tires and tractors.

Under Budget Pressure, Bureau Of Prisons To Cut Halfway House Time

The Federal Bureau of Prisons is currently facing significant pressure to operate within its $8.3 billion budget, which remains unchanged from the previous year due to a continuing resolution. As a result, the BOP is grappling with the challenge of managing its resources amid understaffing and deteriorating facilities. In light of these constraints, the BOP has decided to limit the prerelease custody period for inmates under the Second Chance Act to a maximum of 60 days, significantly reducing the time eligible inmates can spend in halfway houses or home confinement.

Trump Administration Moves To Eliminate Bureau Of Prisons Union

President Donald Trump has issued an executive order eliminating collective bargaining rights for federal unions, including those representing Bureau of Prisons employees. Using the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, the order excludes DOJ agencies (including the BOP) from the Federal Labor-Management Relations Program, effectively stripping unions of their right to negotiate on behalf of employees. The order cites unions as obstructing agency management, justifying their exclusion from Chapter 71 of the U.S. Code, which previously granted unions their authority.

Bureau Of Prisons Is ‘Rudderless’ Operation, Says Former Director

A look at the Bureau of Prisons website and you will see some missing people in leadership. On January 20, 2025, former Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Director Colette Peters was dismissed and has since filed a challenge with the Merit Systems Protection Board over her termination. In a subsequent statement, Peters described the BOP as a “rudderless” organization without her leadership.