Trump Removes Court-Appointed U.S. Attorney After Judges Bypass Administration Consultation

President Donald Trump fired Roger Rogoff as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington on Wednesday less than one hour after federal judges in the district unanimously appointed him to the post. The U.S.

District Court for the Western District of Washington issued the order naming Rogoff on Wednesday morning after a bipartisan panel reviewed applications. The 17 active and senior judges on the court, appointed by five presidents, acted unanimously. Rogoff, a former state judge and veteran state and federal prosecutor, took the oath of office before 8 a.m.

At the U.S. courthouse in downtown Seattle. Rogoff then went to the U.S. attorney’s office and requested a meeting with Charles Neil Floyd. While waiting in the lobby, he received an email from the Trump administration stating he had been removed, The Washington Times reported.

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that district court judges can appoint a temporary U.S. attorney and the president can fire the appointee. Blanche added that the judges who selected Rogoff had abandoned the usual process of consultation with the administration.

President Trump had named Charles Neil Floyd interim U.S. attorney last October. Floyd’s 120-day term ended in February, after which the administration shifted Floyd to first assistant U.S. attorney and left the top position vacant.

A U.S. appeals court panel in May expressed skepticism about the legality of that maneuver. The administration has removed court-appointed U.S. attorneys in New Jersey, Virginia and northern New York in recent months after similar disputes over interim appointments.

Rogoff said he is consulting lawyers about suing over the firing. Senator Patty Murray of Washington said Rogoff had demonstrated an outstanding commitment to public service and was appointed legally.