U.S. attorney who served for 54 minutes sues over firing by Trump

Key Points:

• Roger Rogoff, a U.S. attorney fired by President Trump less than an hour after being sworn in, has sued the Trump administration seeking reinstatement until a permanent successor is confirmed.
• Rogoff was appointed by a panel of federal judges to fill a vacancy in the Western District of Washington, but the Justice Department argues the court did not follow proper protocol by failing to consult with the administration.
• The lawsuit claims Rogoff’s firing violated federal law and the Constitution’s Appointments Clause, asserting that the president cannot override a court-appointed U.S. attorney without Senate confirmation.
• Historically, U.S. attorneys are presidential nominees confirmed by the Senate, but temporary appointments can be made by the attorney general or federal judges if no nominee is confirmed within set timeframes.
• The Trump administration has fired multiple court-appointed U.S. attorneys, leading to legal disputes over the authority to appoint and remove these officials, with the Justice Department maintaining presidential prerogative over appointments.