Federal Court Blocks Administration's Removal of Judicially Appointed Prosecutor

A federal judge ruled that President Trump lacks authority to dismiss U.S. attorneys appointed by the courts, reinstating Seattle prosecutor Roger Rogoff after the administration terminated him via email just 54 minutes after his appointment in July. The judge determined that such dismissals would violate constitutional and statutory frameworks designed to balance executive and Senate powers in the appointment process. The decision prevents the administration from replacing Rogoff and bars further attempts to interfere with his tenure.

The dispute centers on a procedural question about who holds appointment authority over federal prosecutors. When an interim U.S. attorney's temporary designation expired in February, the administration converted the position rather than allow a judicial panel to make a permanent appointment. The judge's decision affirms that once a court-appointed prosecutor is sworn in, the executive branch loses the power to remove them unilaterally. This framework emerged from constitutional provisions distributing appointment powers between branches of government.

The administration has pursued a broader strategy of using interim appointments to maintain control of prosecutor positions while avoiding Senate confirmation requirements. The Justice Department's immediate statement signaling an appeal and stay request indicates this ruling will face higher court review, potentially reaching appellate panels that may interpret executive removal powers differently than the district court judge.