Story
Seattle U.S. Attorney Sues Trump Administration Over Legality of Firing
Summary
Roger Rogoff, who was fired as the U.S. Attorney for Seattle just one hour after being appointed by judges, has filed a lawsuit challenging the president's authority to remove him. The case tests the legal boundaries for dismissing court-appointed prosecutors filling vacant positions.
A top federal prosecutor in Seattle who was fired by President Donald Trump last week has filed a lawsuit against the administration, creating a legal test of the president's authority to remove U.S. attorneys appointed by judges.
Roger Rogoff's lawsuit, submitted Tuesday in Seattle's federal court, argues that his termination was unlawful. He was dismissed on July 15, just one hour after being sworn in as the court-appointed U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington.
The Legal Challenge
The core of the lawsuit contends that federal law permits a U.S. attorney appointed by a court to serve until a presidential nominee is confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Rogoff is asking the court to declare his firing invalid and affirm that he remains the district's U.S. attorney until a Senate-confirmed successor is in place.
"The President’s actions violate the law, and they ignore the protections of the Constitution of the United States," Rogoff said in a statement provided by Reuters. He added that the removal of himself and other court-appointed U.S. attorneys is "illegal and cannot stand."
Administration's Position
AdThe Trump administration maintains that the president acted within his legal rights. In a statement, the Justice Department said the district court "did not coordinate with DOJ on this selection," and asserted the firing is "wholly within the President’s authority."
This position was echoed by Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche. In a social media post last week, Blanche stated, "District court judges can appoint a temporary U.S. Attorney, and POTUS can fire them."
Context of the Appointment
Rogoff, a former federal prosecutor and state court judge, was appointed by the judiciary because the top prosecutor post in the district had remained vacant without a Senate-confirmed nominee. The lawsuit highlights the tension between the executive branch's appointment powers and the statutory provisions for filling temporary vacancies in key law enforcement roles.
Read next
More on Stocks
Activist Investor Jana Partners Pushes Six Flags to Explore Sale
The activist hedge fund is pressuring the amusement park operator to hire an investment bank and consider a sale, citing disappointment with recent performance, according to a report.
Mexican Stocks Rise 1.45% as Industrial and Consumer Shares Lead Gains
Mexico's benchmark S&P/BMV IPC index closed significantly higher on Tuesday, lifted by strong performance in the industrial, consumer goods, and staples sectors. The gains occurred even as the Mexican peso saw a slight decline against the U.S. dollar.
Apollo Caps Withdrawals From Private Credit Fund as Redemption Requests Hit 14.7%
The asset manager will limit redemptions from its Apollo Debt Solutions BDC for the third consecutive quarter after withdrawal requests outpaced the fund's 5% quarterly cap, reflecting broader liquidity pressures in the private credit market.
AB InBev to Launch Protein-Enhanced Beer, New Pack Sizes to Combat Shifting Tastes
The world's largest brewer announced plans to adapt its product lineup with new formulations and packaging to address slowing beer sales and changing consumer habits, including a push into non-beer categories.