Judge overturns Trump’s decision to fire court-appointed U.S. attorney in Seattle, tell me about this news today

A federal judge overturned President Donald Trump’s firing of Roger Rogoff, the court-appointed interim U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington, ruling that Rogoff remains the rightful top federal prosecutor in Seattle.

Under federal statute (28 U.S.C. § 546), when an interim U.S. attorney’s temporary tenure expires without a Senate-confirmed nominee in place, the federal district court judges for that district have the statutory authority to appoint an interim U.S. attorney until the vacancy is filled. In July 2026, the 17 active and senior federal judges in Western Washington unanimously appointed Roger Rogoff, a former state judge and federal prosecutor, to the role.

Less than an hour after Rogoff took the oath of office on July 15, 2026, the Trump administration fired him via email, asserting presidential removal authority over executive branch officers. Rogoff subsequently filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the dismissal.

Chief U.S. District Judge Stanley A. Bastianhearing the case from the Eastern District of Washington after the Western District bench recused itselfruled against the administration. Judge Bastian declared that Trump lacked the authority to unilaterally remove a court-appointed interim prosecutor in this manner, concluding that Rogoff has been the lawful holder of the office since taking his oath on July 15.

The decision is the latest flashpoint in an ongoing constitutional battle over presidential control of U.S. Attorney’s Offices:

• Trump nominated Pete Serrano, the first assistant U.S. attorney in Eastern Washington, for the permanent Seattle position, but Serrano has not been confirmed by the Senate and faces opposition from Washington Senator Patty Murray.

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• Similar conflicts over judicial interim appointments and presidential firings have emerged in other jurisdictions, including the Eastern District of Virginia and Northern New York.

• The Department of Justice stated that it strongly disagrees with Judge Bastian’s ruling and intends to appeal.

  AP News