Overview
- A majority of judges in the Eastern District of Wisconsin declined to keep Schimel in the post beyond his 120-day interim term, which ends next week.
- Federal law permits district judges to extend an interim U.S. attorney’s service until a successor is confirmed, but the court chose not to invoke that authority.
- In a posted statement, the judges emphasized their decision was not a criticism of Schimel or his staff and noted the office has continued to represent the district well.
- Schimel was named to the interim role in November by Attorney General Pam Bondi after a bipartisan state committee failed to agree on a nominee, and President Trump has not put forward a permanent candidate.
- During his interim tenure, Schimel’s office secured a December jury conviction of Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan on an obstruction charge.