Seattle – In a landmark decision on Thursday, Chief Judge Stanley Bastian of the Eastern District of Washington ruled that President Trump cannot dismiss a U.S. Attorney who was appointed by a federal court. The ruling comes after Roger Rogoff, who took the oath of office on July 15, 2026, was terminated only minutes after his appointment.
Judge emphasizes constitutional balance
Judge Bastian explained that the Constitution limits a president’s authority to remove only those U.S. Attorneys who have been confirmed by the Senate. “Allowing the president to fire a United States attorney appointed by the court also eliminates the incentive to nominate a candidate that can be confirmed by the Senate,” he said, underscoring the intended cooperation between the executive and legislative branches.
Legal background and the administration’s response
Federal law permits an interim U.S. Attorney to serve for up to 120 days. After that period, a local federal court may appoint a replacement until the Senate confirms the president’s nominee. In recent years, the Trump administration has repeatedly sought to replace court‑appointed prosecutors with its own choices, prompting legal challenges in several states.
The Justice Department did not dispute the court’s authority to make the appointment but maintains that the president retains the power to remove the appointee. DOJ officials said they will appeal Judge Bastian’s injunction.
Implications for other pending cases
Rogoff’s case is the first to directly challenge a court‑appointed U.S. Attorney’s removal. The decision sets a precedent that could affect similar disputes in New Jersey, Nevada and elsewhere, where the administration has pursued comparable strategies.
In New Jersey, the administration attempted to reinstall its original interim choice, former criminal lawyer Alina Habba, after a federal court selected another candidate. Habba later resigned following an appellate ruling that her appointment was unlawful. In Nevada, the Justice Department is seeking Supreme Court review of a case involving its preferred prosecutor, Sigal Chattah, after lower courts deemed her appointment illegal.
What this means for Seattle
While the injunction remains in effect, the administration is barred from taking any steps to terminate Rogoff or impede his ability to perform the duties of the top federal prosecutor in Seattle. The ruling restores stability to the Western District of Washington’s leadership and reaffirms the role of the judiciary in checking executive overreach.
Legal experts note that the decision reinforces the principle that the president’s removal power is not absolute and must be exercised within the bounds set by the Constitution and statutory law. The case is expected to be closely watched as it moves through the appellate process.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
