Who Is DOJ Hiring to Enforce Civil Rights? What a New York Times Investigation Found

The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division has lost more than 300 career employees since early 2025 and hired about 130 new lawyers, and a New York Times investigation into roughly a dozen of those hires raises serious questions about how the Division is rebuilding. For federal employees, the Division's hiring matters because it is the office charged with enforcing federal civil rights and voting laws.

What the New York Times Reported

In an October 6, 2026 article by Glenn Thrush, "Justice Dept. Turns to Partisans and Conspiracists to Fill Depleted Ranks," the Times examined the backgrounds of about a dozen of the Division's new attorneys. Among its findings:

• A prior election-system hacking conviction. One new hire, David Levin, hacked into a Florida county's election system twice and served 20 days in jail. In August, he appeared at a Minneapolis polling place as a DOJ official, where an election worker reminded him to keep his distance. The Times notes that his 2016 convictions were misdemeanors and that DOJ policy allows hiring people with misdemeanor records after seven years.
• A former supervisor's blunt assessment. Asked whether DOJ should have hired election-litigation attorney David Vandenberg, his former supervisor answered "No," then amended her answer to "Hell, no."
• A senior counsel and a fabricated review. Senior counsel Peter Feaman has suggested January 6 was a false flag, and his book jacket carries a rave review attributed to the New York Times that the Times says never existed.
• A prosecutor removed from a murder trial. Another hire was pulled off a murder trial after a judge ruled he had viewed and shared privileged defense communications.

DOJ's Response

The Justice Department told the Times that these are experienced trial lawyers and that years-old social media posts have nothing to do with their legal work. DOJ's full response appears in the article.

Why Hiring Standards at the Civil Rights Division Matter

The Civil Rights Division has long been one of the most sought-after places for government lawyers to work. Its attorneys enforce laws that protect voting rights, prohibit discrimination, and safeguard equal access to public life. When a Division that enforces those laws loses hundreds of experienced career staff, who replaces them affects every person those laws protect, including federal employees.

Many federal employees have watched similar turnover in their own agencies since 2025: experienced colleagues leaving, positions refilled quickly, and new expectations arriving with them.

A Practical Note for Federal Employees

If you work in an office going through rapid turnover and you are being asked to do something you believe is improper, or you are facing pressure after raising concerns, write down what happened, when, and who was involved, and keep that note off government systems. Federal law provides protections for employees who disclose wrongdoing or refuse to break the law, but those protections run through specific procedures with specific deadlines. If you work at DOJ, be especially careful about what you share and where.

If you are facing retaliation or pressure at work, Southworth PC represents federal employees nationwide and can help you understand your options.

Legal Disclaimer: This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Federal employment situations are fact-specific and time-sensitive. Please consult a qualified federal employment attorney about your specific situation. You can contact Southworth PC at attorneysforfederalemployees.com.