IC Workforce & Infrastructure — 2026-04-01
DOJ National Security Division Loses Half Its Counterterrorism Prosecutors as Oct. 7 Task Force Hollowed Out
Current and former officials report the DOJ National Security Division has lost at least half its counterterrorism prosecutors and a third of senior leadership since January 2025, a talent drain described as unprecedented. AG Bondi's Oct. 7 terrorism task force has lost many resources with prosecutors fired or redirected. About 300 FBI national security agents have departed, including 45 fired and 50+ in leadership roles. This coincides with elevated terrorism threats from the Iran war and sustained Chinese espionage campaigns.
The loss of half of NSD counterterrorism prosecutors is occurring simultaneously with the AQAP propaganda surge, elevated Iranian proxy attack risk in Western countries, and the hollowing of the Oct. 7 task force. Former officials describe the talent drain as unprecedented. The institutional knowledge lost, including case law expertise, source relationships, and classified program familiarity, cannot be rebuilt quickly even if hiring resumes.
Sources: Minnesota Lawyer · CFR