Trump fires new US attorney in Seattle an hour after federal judges appoint him

Key Points:

• Roger Rogoff was unanimously appointed by federal judges as the US attorney for western Washington but was fired by the Trump administration less than an hour after being sworn in, highlighting ongoing tensions between the courts and the president over these key positions.
• Traditionally, US attorneys are presidential appointees requiring Senate confirmation, but when temporary appointments expire, district judges can appoint a US attorney; however, the Trump administration has sought to keep unconfirmed prosecutors in place through unconventional tactics.
• Trump appointed Charles Neil Floyd as interim US attorney without Senate confirmation and tried to maintain his position by shifting his title, a move questioned by courts and leading judges to appoint Rogoff instead.
• Senator Patty Murray criticized the administration for bypassing the Senate confirmation process and accused it of installing loyalists to advance a political agenda, while similar disputes over unlawful appointments have occurred in New Jersey and Virginia.
• Despite knowing he might be fired immediately, Rogoff expressed pride in his career and honor in being chosen by the district judges, calling the US attorney role “the best job there is” for a prosecutor.