Ex-U.S. attorney in Seattle sues Trump over firing, arguing removal was unlawful

Key Points:

• Roger Rogoff, the former U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming his removal was unlawful and seeking to be reinstated until a Senate-confirmed replacement is appointed.
• Rogoff argues that his firing violates a federal statute on U.S. attorney vacancies and the Constitution's Appointments Clause, warning that the administration's actions undermine the Senate's advice-and-consent role.
• The district court judges appointed Rogoff after the 120-day interim term expired, but President Trump fired him less than an hour later, with Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche citing a lack of consultation with the administration.
• The Western District of Washington has lacked a Senate-confirmed U.S. attorney since mid-2023, following Trump's firing of Tessa Gorman, who was also appointed by district judges; no new nominee has been announced.
• Rogoff is reportedly the first U.S. attorney to legally challenge a firing by President Trump, who has similarly removed other court-appointed prosecutors in multiple states.