Beginning in early 2015, even before the death of Freddie Gray, already alarming gun violence soared in Baltimore for eight straight years. Homicides rose to numbers not seen since the early 1990s. This vexing, heartbreaking crisis befuddled a turnstile of law enforcement leaders and other public officials.

But, in August 2022, something unlikely happened. The new U.S. Attorney for Maryland, Erek L. Barron, brought together Republican Gov. Larry Hogan and Democratic Mayor Brandon Scott at a single podium to announce a broad coalition and strategy to address violence. It was an unprecedented visual representation of the strategy’s core principle — close collaboration and teamwork with a focus on gun-toting repeat offenders driving community violence.

Since his appointment in 2021, Barron’s approach has been to strengthen the bonds between otherwise independent law enforcement agencies and prosecutors. He’s also worked with two governors to build a cohort of state-funded law enforcement professionals embedded within his office, reinforcing the teamwork approach. Moreover, he consistently communicates collaboration and never downplays the relative importance of other key stakeholders and their initiatives.

A stunning shift promptly ensued after Barron’s press conference. The next month was the least violent in nearly a decade and the remainder of the year saw a significant drop year over year.

In 2023, while Gov. Wes Moore and Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates transitioned into Barron’s coalition, the strategy of teamwork continued. The drop in violent crime also continued, with homicides down 20% in 2023 and further down 23% in 2024.

The fact that the violence reduction follows downward national trends certainly suggests other forces are at work as well. But while Barron, the first Black person ever named to his post, is not solely responsible for this reversal of fortune, it would be unwise to underestimate his importance.

Yet, incredibly, this success is now threatened. Not only by the latest friction between Bates and Scott essentially over which of the two deserves greater credit for the improvements. But with Donald Trump’s imminent return to the White House and his promise to reshape the U.S. Department of Justice, the likelihood that Trump will seek to replace Democratically appointed Barron is high. Names already floated include former Del. Dan Cox who was the Trump-endorsed GOP nominee for governor in 2022.

But Barron’s success and his collaborative approach should not be ignored. First, because there’s no requirement to replace an effective prosecutor (then-President Barack Obama retained the services of Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein, a George W. Bush appointee who Trump later made deputy attorney general) and because any replacement is unlikely to match Barron’s selfless success.

Further, we would humbly remind the incoming administration that Barron’s track record beyond Baltimore has been good as well. The office has continued to help protect the nation from domestic and international threats and terrorism, nor has the prosecutor ignored the office’s traditional focus on fraud.

As an experienced former prosecutor and policymaker, the 50-year-old former state delegate from Prince George’s County took the position with a keen grasp of the justice system. He is a known and visible ambassador for the office’s mission and core values. He is “down to earth” and connected — fostering teamwork and legitimacy with the community. His conduct represents the professionalism and commitment the agency should stand for.

And, whether we have agreed, disagreed, or were conflicted, he’s strived to be uncompromisingly fair while facing challenging matters such as former State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby’s prosecution or his decision last year to personally intervene in one of the many casualties of the infamous Gun Trace Task Force.

Some define results in terms of maintaining the status quo. But it’s now clear that such a strategy is a head-in-the-sand approach to the Justice Department’s mission. An organization should serve the mission. Their leaders should take it where it should go, even if that means departing from the status quo. Public service may not be the best fit for those who disagree.

Barron has defined the mission and vision of his office and harnessed it accordingly. He has the support of his staff and morale has improved under his watch. We understand that U.S. Presidents are entitled to their choices in political appointments but if Barron doesn’t stay, his brand of leadership should.