President Donald Trump’s White House has sent termination notices to multiple U.S. Attorneys across the country who were appointed by former Democratic President Joe Biden,

marking a sweeping purge of federal prosecutors as the new administration takes decisive steps to assert its authority over the Justice Department. The move has raised eyebrows among legal experts and former officials, as it deviates from the traditional practice of requesting resignations from holdover U.S. Attorneys, opting instead for abrupt dismissals.

In an email obtained by Reuters, the White House’s deputy director for the Office of Presidential Personnel notified the targeted officials of their immediate termination.

“At the direction of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as U.S. Attorney is terminated, effective immediately,” the email read. The terse and blunt nature of the communication was seen as a stark contrast to previous transitions, where incoming administrations typically allow U.S. Attorneys time to submit their resignations voluntarily. Read more below