Attorney General Pam Bondi dismissed another Department of Justice employee on Friday following an internal investigation into misconduct directed at National Guard service members stationed in Washington, D.C. The termination marks the second high-profile firing this month from Bondi’s DOJ, signaling what insiders describe as a “zero-tolerance approach” toward government staff accused of disrespecting law enforcement or military personnel.
The employee, Elizabeth Baxter, worked as a paralegal in the Environmental and Natural Resources Division’s Environmental Defense Section. She was terminated after allegedly making obscene gestures and verbal insults toward National Guard members during her morning commute to the DOJ’s “4CON” building in the NoMa district.
According to Bondi’s office, Baxter not only admitted to the behavior but repeated it on several occasions — including incidents captured on DOJ security cameras.
Repeated Incidents and Explicit Remarks
In an internal memo obtained by The New York Post, Baxter arrived for work at 8:21 a.m. on August 18, where she informed a DOJ security officer that she had just flipped off a National Guard member at Metro Center. She allegedly added, “F—k the National Guard.”
Later that same day, at 12:18 p.m., security footage reportedly showed Baxter again raising her middle finger toward uniformed guards outside the building while shouting, “F—k you!”
The misconduct didn’t stop there. On August 25, a week later, Baxter reportedly told another DOJ security officer, “I hate the National Guard,” and instructed them to “F—k off.”
“These were not isolated outbursts,” a DOJ spokesperson said. “They were repeated, deliberate acts of hostility toward uniformed service members performing their duty.”
Bondi personally signed Baxter’s termination order, citing conduct “inconsistent with the values and mission of the Department of Justice.” The dismissal letter, issued Friday evening, stated:
“You are removed from your position of Paralegal Specialist, GS-0950-11, Environmental Defense Section, Environment and Natural Resources Division, and from the federal service, effective immediately.”
Bondi: ‘If You Disrespect Law Enforcement, You Will No Longer Work Here’
In a statement to The Post, Attorney General Bondi defended the decision as part of a broader effort to restore “discipline, accountability, and respect” within federal institutions.
“Today, I took action to terminate a DOJ employee for inappropriate conduct toward National Guard service members in D.C.,” Bondi said. “This DOJ remains committed to defending President Trump’s agenda and fighting to make America safe again. If you oppose our mission and disrespect law enforcement, you will no longer work at DOJ.”
Bondi’s statement was accompanied by an internal memo circulated to senior DOJ officials late Friday, reinforcing that any employee found engaging in “open hostility” toward law enforcement or armed service members will face termination.
Sources familiar with the matter said the attorney general had been briefed personally on Baxter’s case earlier in the week and made the decision to remove her without delay once the internal investigation concluded.
Second DOJ Firing in Two Weeks
The firing of Baxter comes just days after another DOJ paralegal, Sean Charles Dunn, was dismissed and later charged in connection with a separate incident involving law enforcement. Dunn, who worked in the Criminal Division’s International Affairs Section—located in the same 4CON building—was recorded on video allegedly throwing a Subway sandwich at a Border Protection officer on August 10 in Washington’s U Street area.
According to police and eyewitness accounts, Dunn shouted at a group of federal officers deployed as part of a security detail, yelling:
“F—k you! You f—king fascists! Why are you here? I don’t want you in my city!”
Moments later, he allegedly hurled a half-eaten salami sandwich at one of the officers before being detained by local police. Dunn was initially investigated for felony assault, but a grand jury declined to indict. Prosecutors have since charged him with misdemeanor assault, which carries a potential sentence of up to one year in jail.
Following Dunn’s firing, Bondi wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
“This is an example of the Deep State we have been up against for seven months as we work to refocus DOJ. You will NOT work in this administration while disrespecting our government and law enforcement.”
Both Dunn and Baxter had worked in mid-level support positions at the department, with overlapping tenures in the same office building. Sources say their firings are part of a “broader culture review” initiated by Bondi after a series of incidents involving staff misconduct toward uniformed personnel in and around the capital.
Bondi’s DOJ: Reshaping a Troubled Institution
Since assuming the role of attorney general earlier this year, Bondi has repeatedly emphasized accountability and loyalty within the Department of Justice. A longtime Trump ally and former Florida attorney general, she was appointed to lead the DOJ during the administration’s second term with a mandate to “clean house” and enforce discipline across its divisions.
Insiders describe Bondi’s leadership style as direct, uncompromising, and intensely loyal to both the rule of law and the president’s stated objectives. Her tenure has already seen the removal of several senior officials and dozens of internal disciplinary reviews targeting what she has called “residual political bias” and “deep-seated hostility toward law enforcement.”
“She’s made it clear that the Department of Justice is not a platform for activism or personal politics,” said one senior DOJ official, speaking on background. “If you can’t uphold basic respect for the people defending this country, you don’t belong here.”
Operation Grayskull: A Sharp Contrast in DOJ Focus
While the Baxter and Dunn incidents drew widespread attention, the DOJ under Bondi also announced significant operational successes in recent weeks. On the same day Baxter’s firing was confirmed, the department publicized the successful conclusion of Operation Grayskull, a multi-agency investigation led by the DOJ and the FBI that dismantled four major dark web platforms used to distribute child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
The coordinated takedown resulted in 18 convictions across several federal jurisdictions. Among the most severe penalties was a 250-month prison sentence for 52-year-old Thomas Peter Katsampes of Eagan, Minnesota. Katsampes, who had served as a moderator on one of the targeted dark web forums, pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to advertise and distribute child pornography.
According to DOJ documents, Katsampes was responsible for “promoting, organizing, and managing” online forums dedicated to the exchange of illegal content, including material involving prepubescent victims. The court ordered lifetime supervision and $23,000 in restitution to victims.
“These offenders thought they could act without consequences, but they were wrong,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti of the DOJ’s Criminal Division. “Thanks to the relentless determination of our prosecutors and law enforcement partners, we have eliminated these platforms and brought justice to countless victims.”
Bondi praised the operation’s success, calling it “a reflection of the Department’s renewed focus on protecting the innocent and holding predators accountable.”
An Administration Defined by Discipline
The dual narrative emerging from Bondi’s Justice Department — swift disciplinary action against internal misconduct and aggressive pursuit of high-stakes criminal cases — has reinforced her image as a law-and-order figure deeply aligned with the president’s platform.
Political observers note that Bondi’s actions also serve a symbolic purpose. The firings, they say, send a message that the era of tolerance for government employees openly defying or disparaging U.S. institutions is over.
“She’s establishing clear boundaries,” said Georgetown University law professor Alan Feldman. “In an environment where public trust in government has eroded, decisive leadership — even when controversial — resonates with her political base.”
As Bondi continues her tenure, it’s clear that her approach to leadership inside the DOJ is guided by one principle above all others: discipline as a measure of integrity. Whether addressing misconduct within her own ranks or pursuing justice across federal cases, she has made it clear that disrespect for service members, officers, or the law itself will not go unanswered.
“There’s no room for hate toward the people who protect this country,” Bondi said in a brief follow-up post on X. “Not in the Department of Justice. Not anywhere.”
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
