Miami U.S. Attorney Resigns After Losing 40% of Civil Staff

Jason Reding Quiñones, the federal prosecutor in charge of Miami, resigned on Friday. He left the office that leads the investigation into alleged plots against President Donald Trump. His departure adds to a series of exits from the Justice Department following the midterm elections.

The Southern District of Florida has faced internal friction over the management of the so-called grand conspiracy probe. Washington officials expressed frustration with Quiñones' leadership, according to people familiar with the matter. The investigation targets former law enforcement and intelligence officials. It has progressed slowly for more than a year.

The office has suffered high turnover during Quiñones' tenure. Civil Division Chief Matthew Feely told a federal judge in July that the office lost 40% of its civil attorneys since 2025. Feely apologized for the office's handling of immigration cases. He told the judge, “We’re struggling here, your honor.”

Quiñones was confirmed by the Senate last year. He previously served as a federal prosecutor in Miami and as a Miami-Dade County Judge appointed by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2024. The office indicted former Cuban President Raúl Castro in May. The charges relate to the 1996 downing of civilian planes flown by Miami-based exiles.

Investigators have delayed grand jury testimony from several witnesses in recent weeks. The probe has seen repeated setbacks. Last April, a lead prosecutor was removed from the team investigating former CIA Director John Brennan. Joseph diGenova, a former D.C. U.S. attorney, took over the case. He resigned from the Justice Department in September without filing criminal charges.

John Eisenberg, the top national security official at the Justice Department, also resigned on Friday. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the news. Eisenberg oversaw the prosecution of former national security adviser John Bolton. Bolton pleaded guilty this year to mishandling classified information. Blanche said Eisenberg strengthened the nation's ability to address foreign and domestic threats.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon announced her departure on Thursday. She led a major overhaul of the Civil Rights Division. Blanche thanked Quiñones for his leadership in combating violent and transnational crime. Quiñones posted on social media that he is leaving with immense pride. He thanked President Trump for his trust and the staff of the Southern District of Florida.

The resignation was submitted to the President and is effective immediately. Quiñones described public service as the honor of his lifetime. He cited his background in uniformed service, the Department of Justice, and the bench. The office now faces a leadership vacancy while the grand conspiracy investigation continues.