President-elect Donald Trump is anticipated to appoint Brett Shumate, a partner at the law firm Jones Day, to lead the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Division. This division represents the executive branch in lawsuits and is the DOJ’s largest litigating section. Shumate, recognized for his role in significant legal battles during Trump’s first administration, would be assuming a crucial position that involves defending the incoming administration’s policies in court. His appointment still requires Senate confirmation before becoming official.
Shumate has previously held a senior role within the Civil Division’s Federal Programs Branch and was instrumental in various high-profile cases, including those surrounding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and the placement of a citizenship question on the 2020 census. His history with these cases and current withdrawal of his involvement with Jones Day lawsuits, as reported, underscores his expected transition back to a governmental role.
Jones Day has become known for its pipeline of conservative legal professionals entering government roles. Notably, Shumate would be moving from a private legal practice led by Don McGahn, Trump’s first White House counsel, back into public service within the DOJ. While the Trump transition team and Jones Day have declined to comment, the legal community is closely watching this anticipated appointment.