Fired US Attorney Sues Trump After 54 Minutes
Former U.S. Attorney Roger Rogoff has launched an unprecedented legal challenge against the White House after President Donald Trump summarily dismissed him just 54 minutes into his tenure as the top federal prosecutor for the Western District of Washington. Rogoff, a former King County Superior Court judge and veteran prosecutor, was unanimously selected and appointed by a panel of federal district judges in Seattle to fill a vacant position after prior interim terms expired under statutory law.
Less than an hour after taking the official oath of office, Rogoff received formal notification from the administration that he had been removed from his post. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche publicly defended the rapid termination, asserting that district court judges failed to properly consult with the administration and arguing that the president retains total executive authority to dismiss court-appointed prosecutors.
In a 29-page federal lawsuit filed in the Western District of Washington, Rogoff and his legal team contend that the abrupt firing violated federal statutory law and breached constitutional protections outlined in the Appointments Clause. The lawsuit argues that under explicit congressional enactments, a judicially appointed U.S. attorney is legally entitled to serve in the role until a permanent presidential nominee is formally confirmed by the Senate.
Because no candidate has yet been confirmed or officially nominated for the position, Rogoff is requesting a preliminary injunction from the court to invalidate the firing and restore him to office immediately. The filing marks the first time a court-appointed federal prosecutor has directly challenged a presidential dismissal in court.
The high-stakes court battle underscores growing friction between the executive branch and federal judges over control of federal prosecution offices throughout the country. Legal experts and political figures have noted that the court fight could establish significant legal precedents regarding the boundaries of presidential removal powers. Washington state lawmakers, including Senator Patty Murray, voiced strong support for Rogoff, maintaining that his appointment was fully legal and warning that the administration is undermining the rule of law. As the court prepares to review the injunction request, the lawsuit remains a landmark test of presidential oversight versus judicial appointment authority.
