Ex-Federal Prosecutor Sues DOJ, Alleging Political Firing Over FACE Act Case
Former Eastern District of Michigan assistant U.S. attorney Sunita Doddamani filed a federal lawsuit against the Justice Department on Monday, August 17, 2026, alleging she was unlawfully fired over a FACE Act prosecution.[1]
Her complaint says the dismissal was "politically motivated and retaliatory" and violated the Civil Service Reform Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the First and Fifth Amendments.[1] The suit names seven defendants, including Attorney General Todd Blanche, and seeks reinstatement, back pay and a declaration that her rights were violated.[1] CBS News also published a report on the lawsuit.[2]
Doddamani says she was fired on April 13, 2026, after prosecuting eight anti-abortion activists in United States v. Zastrow, the complaint says.[1] The lawsuit says at least two other prosecutors who handled FACE Act cases were also terminated that day and points to a DOJ social media post saying it had removed staff "responsible for weaponizing the FACE Act." NPR The complaint links those firings to a DOJ report issued April 14, 2026, that accused the Biden administration of weaponizing the statute.[1] The Justice Department declined to comment beyond referring back to its April social post.[1]
NPR frames Doddamani's lawsuit as part of a broader wave of suits by former career DOJ employees who allege politically driven terminations.[1] The article also notes a Trump-era DOJ policy now restricts FACE Act prosecutions to extraordinary cases and that 23 pardons were issued for convictions under the statute.[1]
Show source details & analysis (2 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- On Monday, August 17, 2026, NPR reports that former Eastern District of Michigan AUSA Sunita Doddamani filed a federal lawsuit against the Justice Department over her April 13, 2026 firing.
- According to the complaint, Doddamani alleges her dismissal was “politically motivated and retaliatory” and violated the Civil Service Reform Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the First and Fifth Amendments.
- Doddamani asserts the unstated reason for her termination was her work prosecuting eight anti‑abortion activists under the FACE Act in United States v. Zastrow.
- The lawsuit states at least two other prosecutors who worked FACE Act cases were also fired on April 13, 2026 and cites a DOJ social media post that day saying the department had terminated personnel “responsible for weaponizing the FACE Act.”
- The complaint links the April 13 firings to a DOJ report released April 14, 2026 that accused the Biden administration of weaponizing the FACE Act.
- The suit names seven defendants, including Attorney General Todd Blanche and the Department of Justice, and seeks reinstatement, back pay and a declaration that Doddamani’s rights were violated.
- The Justice Department declined to comment to NPR beyond referring back to its April social media statement about terminating personnel tied to FACE Act enforcement.
- NPR places Doddamani’s lawsuit within a broader pattern of suits by former career DOJ employees alleging politically driven terminations and notes that a Trump‑era DOJ policy now limits FACE Act enforcement to extraordinary cases (and that 23 pardons were issued during the Trump period for convictions under the statute) as relevant background context (NPR).
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- NPR confirms on August 17, 2026, that former Eastern District of Michigan AUSA Sunita Doddamani has filed a federal lawsuit against the Justice Department over her April 13, 2026 firing.
- The complaint alleges her dismissal was 'politically motivated and retaliatory' and violated the Civil Service Reform Act, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the First and Fifth Amendments.
- Doddamani asserts the 'unstated reason' for her termination was her work prosecuting eight anti-abortion activists under the FACE Act in United States v. Zastrow.
- The lawsuit states at least two other prosecutors who worked FACE Act cases were also fired on April 13, 2026, and cites a DOJ social media post that same day saying it had terminated personnel 'responsible for weaponizing the FACE Act.'
- The complaint links the firings to a DOJ report released April 14, 2026, accusing the Biden administration of weaponizing the FACE Act against anti-abortion activists.
- NPR notes the suit names seven defendants, including Attorney General Todd Blanche and the Department of Justice itself, and seeks reinstatement, back pay, and a declaration that Doddamani's rights were violated.
- The Justice Department declined to comment to NPR beyond referring back to its April social media statement about terminating personnel tied to FACE Act enforcement.
- NPR situates Doddamani's case within a broader pattern of lawsuits by former career DOJ employees alleging politically driven terminations, and notes Trump-era DOJ policy now limits FACE Act enforcement to extraordinary cases involving death or serious property damage, alongside 23 Trump pardons of people convicted under the statute.