Trump fires court-appointed attorneys as legal battle over removal power intensifies
Trump fires court-appointed prosecutors as courts challenge the administration's legal authority to do so.
Event / Politics
US Attorney Removal Legal Battle
President Trump fired court-appointed U.S. attorney Roger Rogoff in Seattle immediately after taking office, sparking legal disputes over presidential removal powers and proper appointment procedures across multiple federal districts.
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2026-08-15 to 2026-11-12 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 16 Jul, 05:30 UTC
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What happened
James Hundley, court-appointed U.S. attorney in Virginia, is fired by Trump administration
James Hundley, who had handled criminal and civil cases for more than 30 years and was appointed by federal judges in Virginia after a judge found a prior acting U.S. attorney's appointment unlawful, was fired by the Trump administration.
Alina Habba resigns as top federal prosecutor for New Jersey after appeals court rules appointment unlawful
Alina Habba resigned as the top federal prosecutor for New Jersey in December after an appeals court ruled that she had been serving in the position unlawfully.
Lindsey Halligan's indictments against Trump associates dismissed after court rules her appointment unlawful
Lindsey Halligan, acting U.S. attorney in Virginia who pursued indictments against Trump's adversaries, left her position after a judge concluded her appointment was unlawful. Indictments she brought against two Trump associates, including former FBI Director James Comey, were dismissed.
Trump administration fires court-appointed U.S. attorney in northern New York
The Trump administration fired a U.S. attorney in the Northern District of New York who had been appointed by federal judges.
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche asserts presidents can fire court-appointed U.S. attorneys
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche stated in a social media post that district court judges can appoint temporary U.S. attorneys but the president can fire them. Blanche criticized the judges for abandoning consultation with the administration in appointing Rogoff.
Trump administration maintains Charles Neil Floyd as interim U.S. attorney by reassigning his title when appointment expired
President Trump named Charles Neil Floyd, a former immigration judge, interim U.S. attorney in October but never forwarded his nomination to the Senate. When Floyd's 120-day interim term ended in February, the administration shifted his title to first assistant U.S. attorney while leaving the top U.S. attorney position empty, a tactic also attempted in other federal judicial districts.
U.S. appeals court panel expresses skepticism about legality of Trump administration's U.S. attorney retention strategy
In May, a U.S. appeals court panel expressed skepticism about the legality of the Trump administration's maneuver to keep unconfirmed prosecutors in their positions indefinitely by reassigning their titles.
President Trump fires court-appointed U.S. attorney Roger Rogoff in Seattle within one hour of his swearing-in
President Donald Trump fired Roger Rogoff, a former judge and veteran state and federal prosecutor, less than an hour after he was unanimously appointed and sworn in as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington on Wednesday morning. Rogoff received an email from the Trump administration informing him of his removal while waiting in a lobby at the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Federal judges in Western District of Washington unanimously appoint Roger Rogoff as U.S. attorney
A court comprising 17 active and senior federal judges appointed by five presidents issued a unanimous order naming Roger Rogoff as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington after the judges established an application process and appointed a bipartisan panel to review candidates.
Senator Patty Murray criticizes Trump administration's firing of court-appointed Seattle prosecutor
Democratic Washington U.S. Senator Patty Murray, who had opposed Charles Neil Floyd for the U.S. attorney position, criticized the firing of Roger Rogoff, stating he was appointed legally by federal judges and had demonstrated outstanding commitment to public service.
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