Justice Department Faces Fourth Resignation in Seven Days
The Justice Department has seen its fourth official resign within a week, with Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division Brett Shumate submitting his resignation.

El Paso, TX, November 9, 2026 —
Washington D.C. – The U.S. Justice Department is experiencing a notable turnover, with the resignation of Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division Brett Shumate marking the fourth official departure within the past week.
Shumate’s resignation adds to a series of departures from the department. The specific dates of these resignations, other than the general timeframe of the past week, were not provided. The reasons behind these departures were also not publicly disclosed in the information available.
Brett Shumate held a significant role as the head of the Civil Division, which is responsible for representing the United States in civil litigation and enforcing civil rights laws. His tenure and the specific impact of his departure on the division’s ongoing cases or initiatives were not detailed.
The trend of multiple high-level resignations occurring in close succession has drawn attention. While individual resignations are a common occurrence in government service, the clustering of four departures within a seven-day period is a notable development. Further details regarding the individuals who resigned prior to Shumate, their positions, and the circumstances surrounding their departures were not immediately available.
The Justice Department has not issued a statement addressing the series of resignations. The civil division continues its operations, and interim leadership arrangements for the Civil Division are not yet specified.
Story summarized from the original created by Rebecca Beitsch and The Hill on www.ktsm.com, see more information here.
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