Ninth Circuit blocks Trump-appointed Nevada prosecutor's illegal tenure

A federal appeals court has nullified the appointment of Sigal Chattah as Nevada’s acting U.S. attorney, confirming that she was serving without legal authority. The Ninth Circuit, in an opinion authored by Judge Eric D. Miller—himself a Trump appointee—upheld a lower-court order that barred Chattah from supervising three Nevada prosecutions and invalidated her acting status. The dispute arose after her initial 120-day term, set by former Attorney General Pam Bondi, ended on July 30, 2025, and she was re-appointed as first assistant to extend her tenure without Senate confirmation.

Defense attorneys argued the extension violated statutory requirements, and the court agreed that the Attorney General cannot make such a designation. The Justice Department announced plans to challenge the decision before the Supreme Court. The case echoes a similar ruling in New Jersey involving Alina Habba, another Trump-favored prosecutor.