Federal judge bars Trump from dismissing Seattle's top federal prosecutor
A U.S. District Judge halted President Trump's attempt to remove Roger Rogoff as Seattle's U.S. attorney, ordering him to stay until a Senate-confirmed successor is named.
U.S. District Judge Stanley Bastian issued an injunction preventing President Donald Trump from dismissing Roger Rogoff, who was installed by the district court as the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington on July 15. The judge concluded that the president cannot unilaterally remove a prosecutor appointed by the court, marking a first-of-its-kind decision on the issue. Bastian also clarified that Charles Neil Floyd, who had been directing the office, does not hold the title of U.S. attorney and his authority was improperly granted.
The Justice Department announced plans to appeal and to seek a stay of the order. Until a Senate-confirmed attorney is confirmed, Rogoff must retain access to the office’s resources and duties. The ruling underscores the constitutional framework that requires cooperation between the executive and legislative branches in appointing federal prosecutors. The Seattle office has lacked a Senate-confirmed leader since mid-2023, heightening the significance of the court's intervention.
Why it matters
It defines limits on presidential power to remove court-appointed federal prosecutors, affecting checks and balances.
How the sides frame it
HIGH AGREEMENTAll camps report the same factual outcome—a federal judge blocked President Trump's attempt to dismiss the Seattle U.S. attorney and reinstated him—though each emphasizes different aspects of the decision.
LEFT
Judge curtails Trump's unchecked authority to fire court-appointed prosecutors
CENTER
Judge blocks Trump's dismissal and reinstates the attorney, underscoring legal limits on presidential removal power
The left emphasises
- Trump loses in court as the judge wrecks his power to fire prosecutors
- the ruling would upend the constitutional framework and statutes balancing presidential and judicial authority
- highlighting the administration’s overreach in top prosecutorial jobs
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