Department of Justice under Trump employer brought on attorney who likened Capitol insurrection trials to the Holocaust

In a move that has sparked controversy, attorney Jonathan Gross has been hired by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to work within the Civil Rights Division, specifically with the Trump administration's "Weaponization Working Group."

Gross, who previously worked on civil litigation, has taken an unconventional path to representing Jan. 6 defendants. His lack of experience in criminal law has raised concerns among former DOJ officials, who question his suitability for the role.

Gross has been criticised for his inflammatory rhetoric, having compared January 6 judges and prosecutors to Josef Mengele, the infamous Nazi doctor, in a podcast appearance. He has also advocated for financial compensation for Jan. 6 defendants and demanded investigations and "consequences" for Justice Department officials involved in the Capitol riot investigation.

Gross' representation of several Jan. 6 defendants, including Christopher Quaglin, Ryan Nichols, and Richard Barnett, has not been without incident. In at least one case, Gross' lack of experience in criminal law caused problems in court.

Quaglin was convicted of 12 felonies for assaulting police officers, tackling one to the ground, and deploying a chemical spray in officers' faces. Nichols pleaded guilty to assaulting police officers with a chemical spray. Barnett was convicted of multiple felony and misdemeanor charges. All three defendants received full presidential pardons.

The "Weaponization Working Group," which Gross is now a part of, has been accused of using government power to target Trump's perceived enemies. Jared Wise, another member of the group, was a Jan. 6 riot defendant who urged rioters to "kill" police during the attack. Ed Martin, the leader of the group, has suggested that rioters may have been justified in assaulting police.

The Trump administration's handling of the insurrection has been under scrutiny, with reports suggesting that they have started to rewrite history, including giving tours of the White House to former Jan. 6 defendants.

Meanwhile, dozens of Jan. 6 prosecutors have been fired and now face investigations by the government they used to serve. Former DOJ official, Gordon, criticised Gross' comments as "unbecoming of a lawyer and deliberately inflammatory."

As Gross begins his work with the DOJ, questions remain about his suitability for the role and the potential implications of his hiring amidst ongoing investigations into the Capitol riot.

Department of Justice under Trump employer brought on attorney who likened Capitol insurrection trials to the Holocaust