Judge rules president cannot fire court-appointed U.S. attorneys, reinstating Seattle prosecutor

Key points

• U.S. District Judge Stanley Bastian ruled that the president lacks the authority to remove a U.S. attorney appointed by a district court.
• Bastian reinstated Roger Rogoff as the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington, effective from July 15, 2026.
• The ruling stripped authority from Charles Neil Floyd, whom the administration had installed as first assistant U.S. attorney to lead the office.
• The Justice Department stated it disagrees with the decision and will appeal to an appeals court.
• Bastian noted that allowing the president to fire court-appointed prosecutors would undermine the balance between the executive and legislative branches.

Background

This ruling follows a series of legal battles over the Trump administration's efforts to install loyalists in U.S. attorney positions without Senate confirmation. Previous cases in Nevada, New Jersey, and New York saw courts block or invalidate administration-appointed prosecutors, but Rogoff is the first court-appointed U.S. attorney to challenge his firing in court.

How outlets are covering it

All outlets agree on the core ruling, but emphasize different aspects. NBC News and CNN focus on the legal precedent and the Justice Department's planned appeal. CBS News highlights the specific orders barring the administration from interfering with Rogoff's duties. Politico frames the ruling as a major loss for the administration's broader strategy to circumvent Senate confirmation for top prosecutorial jobs.

Why it matters

The ruling establishes a legal precedent that limits the president's power to remove court-appointed U.S. attorneys, reinforcing the separation of powers and the Senate's role in confirming federal officials. It may impact similar cases in other districts where the administration has attempted to install loyalists without Senate confirmation.

What to watch

The Justice Department will appeal the ruling to an appeals court. The administration may seek to temporarily block the ruling while the appeal is pending. Rogoff will resume his duties as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington.