President Donald Trump dismissed Roger Rogoff, the court-appointed U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington, on Wednesday. The firing occurred less than one hour after Rogoff was sworn into the position by the district's chief judge. Rogoff, a former state court judge and federal prosecutor, stated he is considering legal action to challenge the removal.
The appointment was made by a unanimous vote of the district's judges under a federal statute that allows courts to fill U.S. Attorney vacancies that have lasted a certain duration. The judges cited a three-year vacancy in the Senate-confirmed role as the reason for their intervention. Trump’s previous nominee for the post, Neil Floyd, had failed to secure Senate confirmation and currently leads the office as an interim official.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the dismissal on social media, stating that while district courts may appoint temporary U.S. Attorneys, the president maintains the authority to terminate them. Blanche argued the judges failed to consult with the administration to ensure the appointee was qualified to serve within the executive branch.
U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) criticized the firing, stating the appointment was legally performed by federal judges and that the district requires an independent official. The dispute follows similar executive-judicial conflicts regarding the appointment and removal of federal prosecutors in other states, including New York and Virginia.