Obama-appointed judge restores Seattle US attorney Trump fired
A federal judge restored Roger Rogoff as the top federal prosecutor in Seattle on Thursday, ruling that President Donald Trump could not fire a U.S. attorney whom district judges had appointed less than an hour earlier.
TL;DR
- Federal Judge Stanley Bastian restored Roger Rogoff as the top federal prosecutor in Seattle.
- The ruling states President Trump cannot fire a U.S. attorney appointed by district judges.
- The judge granted a preliminary injunction, preventing the Trump administration from obstructing Rogoff's duties.
- The decision is the first court victory for a judicially appointed U.S. attorney removed during the administration's conflict with federal judges.
- Federal law allows the attorney general to appoint an interim U.S. attorney, after which district judges can appoint a prosecutor if the vacancy remains.
- The judges in western Washington unanimously selected Rogoff after the office was vacant, and Trump fired him shortly after his swearing-in.
- Legal experts suggest the dispute could escalate to the Supreme Court, questioning the removal provisions for presidentially appointed versus judicially appointed prosecutors.
- The Department of Justice has stated they disagree with the decision and intend to appeal and seek a stay.