A discussion on MSNBC's 'Deadline: White House' focused on the state of the U.S.Department of Justice (DOJ) more than a year after President Donald Trump's return to office.

During the segment, Atlantic staff writer Sarah Fitzpatrick argued that the department has experienced significant staffing losses and declining morale as a result of controversial policies and leadership decisions.

According to Fitzpatrick, many DOJ attorneys who objected to politically charged directives or believed certain actions were improper have already resigned or been pushed out of the department.

Fitzpatrick stated that the remaining workforce consists of a much smaller staff that is expected to handle increasing responsibilities with fewer resources.

She said many employees are primarily focused on keeping a low profile, expressing concerns about internal scrutiny, including fears of polygraph testing and concerns about being perceived as politically biased.These conditions, she argued, have created an atmosphere of caution and anxiety within the department.

The conversation was prompted in part by reports that the Trump administration continued exploring ways to implement an 'Anti-Weaponization Fund,' a proposal intended to provide financial assistance to some of Trump's allies who faced criminal charges.

Although the DOJ had previously indicated the proposal was being set aside, questions remain about whether alternative methods of implementing it are being considered.Fitzpatrick also noted that reporting on the DOJ has become more difficult because there are fewer employees willing to speak with journalists.

She added that some officials within the department support the proposed fund and view it favorably, although they believe its public rollout was mishandled.

Overall, she described ongoing internal tensions within DOJ leadership and suggested that future legal challenges could further test the department's direction and stability.