President Trump fired Roger Rogoff from the position of U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington shortly after federal judges appointed him.
The administration announced the firing of Roger Rogoff as the top federal prosecutor in Seattle, occurring less than an hour after judges in the Western District of Washington officially installed him in the role. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the move, noting that while judges have the authority to appoint temporary prosecutors, the administration prefers to be consulted first to ensure the selection aligns with executive priorities. The firing highlights an ongoing standoff between the administration and federal courts. While the judges chose Rogoff for his deep ties to the region and extensive experience as a prosecutor and judge, the administration sought to maintain control over the appointment process. Senator Patty Murray criticized the move, accusing the administration of bypassing the Senate's "advice and consent" role to install political allies. Roger Rogoff expressed pride in his career and noted that he accepted the role despite knowing the administration might remove him immediately. The administration has faced similar legal challenges in other districts where court-appointed prosecutors were deemed unlawful or were replaced by executive picks.