Justice Department Fires Ethics Director Joseph Tirrell Effective Immediately

In a sharply worded memorandum signed by the U.S. Attorney General, the Justice Department on Monday officially dismissed Joseph W. Tirrell from his federal post as Director of the Departmental Ethics Office, effective immediately.

The letter, addressed directly to Tirrell, declares his removal from the federal service under the authority of Article II of the U.S. Constitution and applicable federal law. Tirrell served as the Director within the Justice Management Division’s Ethics Office, a senior executive position (ES-0905-00) responsible for overseeing compliance with departmental ethics policies.

“You are removed from your position… and from the federal service, effective immediately,” the memo reads, without specifying a reason for the sudden termination. The document emphasizes that the decision is final and constitutionally grounded, and that Tirrell’s acknowledgment of receipt is not a sign of consent to the action.

The memorandum also informs Tirrell of his legal right to appeal the removal. If eligible, he may file a claim with the U.S. Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) within 30 days from the date of termination. The MSPB oversees federal employment disputes and whistleblower protection cases.

At the time of publication, no further explanation had been offered by the Justice Department regarding the cause of the removal. The development has raised questions within legal and administrative circles about internal accountability and transparency within the DOJ’s own ethics oversight apparatus.

Official DOJ Termination Memo issued to Joseph W. Tirrell – Source: Department of Justice