Overview
- Federal judges in the Western District of Washington unanimously appointed Roger Rogoff and swore him in Wednesday to fill a vacancy left after an interim term lapsed.
- Less than an hour after Rogoff’s swearing-in, the White House sent an email removing him and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche publicly said the president has the authority to fire court-appointed U.S. attorneys.
- Rogoff, a veteran state and federal prosecutor and former judge, said he is consulting lawyers about suing to challenge his removal.
- The dispute follows court skepticism of the administration’s tactic of keeping unconfirmed prosecutors in place by changing their titles, and it adds to similar clashes in New Jersey, Virginia and other districts.
- The outcome could affect who controls regional federal prosecutions, office morale, and the validity of actions taken by disputed appointees, and observers say the case is likely to produce extended litigation that will clarify the statute that governs temporary U.S. attorney appointments.