DOJ Unveils Strategies to Shield Employees from Doxing
It remains uncertain how many of these new protections will be upheld under the Trump administration, which has dedicated a significant portion of its initial days to reversing the efforts made by the Biden administration.
TroibNews 
The Department of Justice introduced a new protocol aimed at safeguarding employees from malicious doxing during the final days of the Biden administration. However, its future under President Donald Trump’s newly appointed attorney general remains uncertain.
In a memo issued on January 10 to department leaders, which was acquired by PMG, Assistant Attorney General Jolene Lauria noted that “in light of recent incidents,” the agency has established new guidelines to protect staff who face online threats and harassment.
In recent years, several DOJ employees have fallen victim to doxing. For instance, FBI agents linked to the warrant for the raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort had their personal information leaked online, exposing themselves and their families to threats and harassment. Additionally, employees involved in cases related to January 6 and immigration matters have been specifically targeted, as revealed in an October correspondence sent by DOJ staffers to then-Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco and Lauria.
“Unfortunately, some of our employees have been subject to doxing – the malicious act of publicly sharing personal information with the intent to intimidate, harass, or threaten. No one should be threatened, harassed or intimidated simply for doing their job,” the memo stated.
The DOJ did not provide a comment upon request. A representative for Pam Bondi, Trump’s selection for attorney general, also did not respond immediately.
The extent to which these new protections will persist in the Trump administration is unclear, especially as it has focused on reversing many initiatives from the Biden administration in its early days. One of the first executive orders issued by Trump facilitates the firing of federal workers by eliminating certain due process protections.
The memo outlines the new protocols the DOJ will adopt in response to doxing incidents, which include coordinating departmental responses, offering training for managers, and delivering security briefings to affected employees.
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
In a memo issued on January 10 to department leaders, which was acquired by PMG, Assistant Attorney General Jolene Lauria noted that “in light of recent incidents,” the agency has established new guidelines to protect staff who face online threats and harassment.
In recent years, several DOJ employees have fallen victim to doxing. For instance, FBI agents linked to the warrant for the raid on Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort had their personal information leaked online, exposing themselves and their families to threats and harassment. Additionally, employees involved in cases related to January 6 and immigration matters have been specifically targeted, as revealed in an October correspondence sent by DOJ staffers to then-Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco and Lauria.
“Unfortunately, some of our employees have been subject to doxing – the malicious act of publicly sharing personal information with the intent to intimidate, harass, or threaten. No one should be threatened, harassed or intimidated simply for doing their job,” the memo stated.
The DOJ did not provide a comment upon request. A representative for Pam Bondi, Trump’s selection for attorney general, also did not respond immediately.
The extent to which these new protections will persist in the Trump administration is unclear, especially as it has focused on reversing many initiatives from the Biden administration in its early days. One of the first executive orders issued by Trump facilitates the firing of federal workers by eliminating certain due process protections.
The memo outlines the new protocols the DOJ will adopt in response to doxing incidents, which include coordinating departmental responses, offering training for managers, and delivering security briefings to affected employees.
Debra A Smith contributed to this report for TROIB News
