Multiple top prosecutors appointed by former President Joe Biden to federal districts across the country were left without official means to communicate on Friday after their government-issued phones and email accounts were deactivated, according to sources familiar with the situation.
The United States attorneys were reportedly provided no explanation as to why their electronic communications suddenly stopped working. As of Sunday, they had not received a response from the Office of the Deputy Attorney General seeking details.
The disruption in electronic communication experienced by several of the nation’s senior prosecutors was first reported by Bloomberg. CNN has reached out to the Justice Department for comment.
It remains unclear how many prosecutors were specifically impacted, but nearly two dozen US attorneys appointed by Biden are believed to still be on the job.
While it is common for an incoming administration to replace chief prosecutors, the sudden inability of US attorneys still serving to communicate poses a potential threat to public safety, sources said.
US attorneys play a crucial role in managing the daily functions of their offices and are key players in the government’s response to urgent national security incidents, such as terrorist attacks, where their approval may be necessary for investigators to seek emergency court authorizations.
The disruption in official communication services on Friday prompted those affected to quickly ensure their staff and law enforcement partner agencies had alternate personal phone and email information in case of an emergency, sources added.
