Attorney General Jeff Sessions [official profile] on Friday requested the resignation of 46 Obama-era federal prosecutors, including Manhattan US Attorney Preet Bharara [official website], who had been asked to stay on by then president-elect Donald Trump in November. Although federal prosecutors are political appointees, the sudden turnover announced by the Department of Justice [official website] came as a surprise. Most prosecutors were not informed of the impending cuts, with some finding out about their requested resignations through social media reports, Bharara refused to tender his resignation and was subsequently fired [Twitter] on Saturday. Until new prosecutors are appointed, career prosecutors in the impacted offices will oversee cases.

Jeff Sessions’ short time as Attorney General has been tumultuous. Earlier this week, Sessions sent a letter [JURIST report] to the Senate Judiciary Committee clarifying the responses the AG gave to Senator Al Franken’s question in Sessions’ confirmation hearing regarding whether Sessions had any communications with Russia. Sessions stated he had no contact with Russia, which was later proved false. Shortly before, Sessions recused himself [JURIST report] from probes into Russian interference during the 2016 election. On March 1, Sessions controversially stated [JURIST report] that the US government should stop spending money to sue local police departments. In a speech to the National Association of Attorney Generals, Sessions stated that the government should focus its resources to help police combat crime.