Onlookers mock DOJ for 'asking Trump fans to slide into their DMs': 'Not a good sign'

The Department of Justice became the subject of widespread ridicule on Saturday after an ex-official sought help with recruitment on his X account.

Chad Mizelle, who previously served as the chief of staff to the Department of Justice under Attorney General Pam Bondi and general counsel at the Department of Homeland Security in the first Trump administration, took to social media to encourage people to "DM" him to apply to become a pro-Trump prosecutor.

That set off alarms for numerous observers.

Conservative attorney George Conway chimed in with some Melania mockery, writing, "All you young lawyers should hold out until DOJ starts offering huge blocks of Melania movie tickets as recruiting bonuses."

Sean Marotta, Partner with Hogan Lovells's Appellate group, said, "Remember when DOJ used political affiliation in nonpartisan Honors Program hiring and it generated significant internal pushback and was a major scandal that roiled an Administration? I do."

Political strategist Jacob Perry said, "

Bird Law Expert said Saturday, "T

Scott Greenfield remarked on the change with this administration:

Ed Whelan noted on X, "

Conservative former insider Gregg Nunziata said, "Now that Mizelle (the former Chief of Staff of the Trump Justice Department) is outside of government, he apparently feels free to confirm what we already know: the Administration is corrupting the DOJ into a personal tool of the president, ready to serve his whim (and wrath)."

Attorney Blake Allen added, "

Now that Mizelle (the former Chief of Staff of the Trump Justice Department) is outside of government, he apparently feels free to confirm what we already know: the Administration is corrupting the DOJ into a personal tool of the president, ready to serve his whim (and wrath). https://t.co/aE09KJDOwy
— Gregg Nunziata (@greggnunziata) January 31, 2026