Summary (tl;dr)

President Donald Trump dismissed Roger Rogoff as the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington less than an hour after federal judges unanimously appointed him to the role, igniting a constitutional dispute over the authority to appoint and remove federal prosecutors.

Essential Background

U.S. Attorneys, who serve as the top federal prosecutors in each judicial district, are typically nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. However, federal law (28 U.S.C. Section 546(d)) allows district judges to appoint an interim U.S. Attorney if an existing interim appointment expires without a Senate-confirmed replacement. For nearly three years, the U.S. Attorney position for the Western District of Washington had been vacant without a Senate-confirmed nominee. The Trump administration had appointed Charles Neil Floyd as an interim U.S. Attorney in October 2025, but his 120-day term expired in February, and the administration attempted to keep him in the role through a title change, a maneuver a federal appeals court questioned. This situation led the federal judges in the Western District of Washington to begin their own appointment process.

The Full Story

On Wednesday, July 15, 2026, the 17 active and senior federal judges of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington unanimously appointed Roger Rogoff, a veteran prosecutor and former state judge, as the U.S. Attorney for the district. Rogoff was sworn in shortly before 8 a.m. at the federal courthouse in Seattle. However, less than an hour later, while waiting to meet officials at the U.S. Attorney's Office, Rogoff received an email informing him that the Trump administration had terminated his appointment. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the President's decision, stating on social media that "District court judges can appoint a temporary U.S. Attorney, and POTUS can fire them," and accusing the judges of abandoning the "time-honored process of consultation with the administration." Rogoff is now considering legal action over his dismissal. This incident follows similar rapid dismissals of court-appointed U.S. attorneys in other federal districts by the Trump administration.

Why It Matters

This rapid dismissal highlights a significant and ongoing constitutional clash between the executive branch and the federal judiciary regarding the authority to appoint and remove U.S. Attorneys, particularly when a presidential nominee has not been confirmed by the Senate. Critics, including Senator Patty Murray, argue that the administration is attempting to circumvent the Senate's role and install politically aligned individuals, rather than respecting lawful judicial appointments. Rogoff's consideration of legal action could lead to a landmark court battle that aims to settle the unresolved legal question of whether a president's removal power overrides the statute allowing district judges to fill such vacancies. The outcome could have far-reaching implications for the independence of federal prosecutors and the balance of power within the U.S. justice system.

Geographic Location

• U.S. District Courthouse, Seattle, King County, Washington, United States (swearing-in of Roger Rogoff)
• U.S. Attorney's Office, Seattle, King County, Washington, United States (location where Roger Rogoff received dismissal notification)