Trump taps James M. McDonald to replace Jay Clayton at SDNY office
President Donald Trump has announced his intention to appoint James M. McDonald, one of his personal defense lawyers, as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. McDonald, who is currently involved in Trump's hush money appeal, would replace Jay Clayton.
Why it matters
The appointment of a personal lawyer to a high-profile federal prosecutorial role raises questions regarding the independence of the Justice Department.
An American flag flies outside the Department of Justice in Washington, March 22, 2019. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File)
The article uses standard journalistic reporting to detail the appointment and the appointee's background without taking a stance on the political implications.
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