Judge Bastian blocks Trump from firing court-appointed U.S. attorney Rogoff
U.S. District Judge Stanley Bastian issued a preliminary injunction on October 1, 2026, reinstating Roger Rogoff as the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington. The ruling blocks President Donald Trump from firing Rogoff, who was appointed by federal judges in July 2026 after the administration failed to secure Senate confirmation for its nominee. Bastian ruled that the president’s removal power under Article II does not extend to prosecutors appointed by courts to fill vacancies. The Justice Department has stated it will appeal the decision, arguing that the president retains authority over all executive branch officials. This case is the first direct legal challenge to the firing of a court-appointed U.S. attorney, following similar disputes in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York.
