White House Rapidly Fires Seattle Judges’ US Attorney Pick (2)
The White House has fired Roger Rogoff, a judicially appointed US attorney in Seattle, shortly after his selection by district court judges. Rogoff is now exploring legal options to challenge the executive branch's termination authority in this context.
Why it matters
This case highlights a potential constitutional conflict between the executive branch's appointment powers and the judiciary's role in filling vacant US attorney positions.
The White House rapidly fired the new judicially appointed US attorney in Seattle, Roger Rogoff, setting up potentially the first legal battle over the executive branch’s termination authority for such prosecutors.
Rogoff, a veteran prosecutor and former Democrat-appointed state jurist, received a termination notice from the presidential personnel office Wednesday less than an hour after the Western District of Washington district court unanimously selected him as the Seattle area’s chief prosecutor, replacing the Trump administration’s term-expired pick.
The White House informed Rogoff in writing that, “The President of the United States has directed that I inform you that, pursuant to his authority under 28 U.S.C. 541(c) and Article II of the Constitution, you are hereby removed from the office of the United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington,” according to Justice Department spokeswoman Emily Covington.
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