Justice Department Official Plans To Resign After Signing Bolton Lawsuit, Email Says

The Department of Justice’s head of Civil Divisions announced plans to resign after signing a recent lawsuit alleging employment contract breach against former National Security Advisor John Bolton, according to a staff email.

Joseph H. Hunt announced Tuesday in a staff member email his intent to resign and leave July 3 as Head of Civil Divisions, according to The New York Times. Hunt’s email followed hours after signing the Trump administration’s lawsuit, alleging Bolton’s upcoming book contained classified information, breaching his contract, according to the DOJ complaint.

Hunt’s motives for the decision to resign are unclear, reported The New York Times.

“I have the utmost respect and admiration for you because I have personally witnessed the manner in which you have carried out your responsibilities,” Hunt’s email said.

Hunt has been the DOJ Head of Civil Divisions since 2018, defending the Trump administration against lawsuits and in court, reported the NYT. The DOJ Office of Civil Division defends the presidential administrations in court and against lawsuits.

The Trump administration’s lawsuit against Bolton came after President Donald Trump signaled Monday Bolton will face legal problems if he proceeds to publish the memoir.

Hunt is the third DOJ official to resign within the last week along with Head of Criminal Division Brian A. Benzkowski and Solicitor General Noel J. Francisco, according to the NYT. Previously, Hunt was Chief of Staff under former Attorney General Jefferson Sessions and has been with the DOJ since 1999.

The Department of Justice did not respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation in time for publication.