Federal Judge Orders Reinstatement of Court-Appointed Seattle U.S. Attorney, Blocking Trump Move

A federal judge has dealt another blow to President Donald Trump’s administration by ordering the reinstatement of Seattle’s court-appointed U.S. attorney. The ruling, handed down on Thursday, found that the president’s abrupt firing of Roger Rogoff violated constitutional limits on executive power, undermining the administration’s controversial efforts to bypass Senate confirmation for key prosecutors.

Judge Rules Trump’s Firing of Seattle U.S. Attorney Unconstitutional

Judge Stanley Bastian, appointed by President Obama, ruled from the bench that Rogoff’s removal less than an hour after his appointment by Western District of Washington judges was unconstitutional. Bastian barred Attorney General Todd Blanche’s office from blocking Rogoff’s access to the position, emphasizing that the president’s actions undermined the statutory and constitutional framework governing U.S. attorney appointments.

During the hearing, Bastian pressed the Department of Justice’s attorney on the logic behind allowing courts to fill prosecutor vacancies if the president can simply dismiss appointees immediately. “What is the point of that power if the president can just within an hour terminate the person appointed?” the judge asked, highlighting the fundamental conflict between the administration’s tactics and the law.

Constitutional Guardrails and Executive Overreach

Rogoff’s attorney, Hailyn Chen, argued that the Constitution’s Appointments Clause was designed as a safeguard against unchecked executive power and cronyism. She emphasized that the clause was never intended to grant presidents free rein to install or dismiss prosecutors at will, especially when circumventing Senate confirmation.

This ruling adds to a growing national pattern of federal courts rejecting the Trump administration’s strategy of appointing favored prosecutors without Senate approval. Particularly in Democratic-leaning states, senators have employed their “blue slip” powers to block permanent appointments, prompting the administration to use court-appointed interim prosecutors — only to see many of these moves overturned by judges.

Impact on Department of Justice and Ongoing Legal Battles

The Department of Justice confirmed it will appeal Judge Bastian’s decision, but unless that appeal succeeds, Rogoff will remain in his role until the Senate confirms a permanent replacement. President Trump has already nominated Pete Serrano for the Seattle U.S. attorney position, but the confirmation process remains uncertain amid ongoing political tensions.

The ruling also creates an unusual situation: Rogoff is reinstated to serve under Attorney General Todd Blanche, who has publicly opposed his appointment and controls the office’s daily operations, setting the stage for a potentially fraught working relationship.

Broader Implications for U.S. Attorney Appointments

This decision is the latest in a string of judicial setbacks for the Trump administration’s attempts to sidestep Senate confirmation. In some districts, similar rulings have invalidated appointments or removals, affecting high-profile cases, including prosecutions involving former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Legal experts warn that the administration’s approach risks undermining the rule of law and the constitutional balance of power designed to prevent executive overreach.

The federal judiciary’s pushback signals continued scrutiny over how the executive branch appoints key legal officials, with lasting repercussions for the Justice Department’s operations and the broader political landscape.