News summary produced by Claude AI
President Donald Trump terminated Roger Rogoff from his position as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington on Wednesday, less than an hour after federal judges in the district unanimously appointed him to the role. Rogoff, a former state judge with extensive prosecutorial experience, was sworn in before 8 a.m. at the U.S. courthouse in Seattle. He subsequently received an email from the Trump administration notification of his removal while waiting in the office lobby.
The firing reflects an ongoing dispute over prosecutorial appointments and the scope of presidential authority. Under standard procedure, presidents nominate U.S. attorneys subject to Senate confirmation. When interim appointments expire without Senate action, federal judges in a district can appoint a temporary U.S. attorney. The Trump administration has pursued an alternative strategy, leaving the position vacant while reassigning the previous interim appointee, Charles Neil Floyd, to another role. In May, a federal appeals court expressed doubt about the legality of this maneuver.
Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche stated on social media that presidents retain the authority to fire court-appointed prosecutors, adding that the judges had circumvented customary consultation with the administration regarding qualifications. The court’s appointment of Rogoff was made by a 17-member panel of active and senior judges appointed by five different presidents following a formal application process.
The Seattle situation follows similar disputes in other judicial districts. A court-appointed U.S. attorney in New Jersey resigned in December following an appeals court determination that her service was unlawful. In Virginia, the administration fired a court-appointed prosecutor after a judge ruled his appointment unlawful and dismissed related indictments. A court-appointed U.S. attorney in northern New York was also terminated.
Rogoff indicated he is consulting with attorneys about potential legal action. He stated awareness that the administration might remove him but expressed no hesitation about accepting the position, describing it as the best role available in prosecution work.