Roger Rogoff Sues the Administration After Being Fired Less Than an Hour After Federal Judges Appointed Him as U.S. Attorney
Roger Rogoff filed a lawsuit against the administration on Tuesday, seeking to overturn his removal as the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington. Rogoff was appointed to the position by a panel of federal judges last week, but the administration fired him less than an hour after he was sworn in. Rogoff argues that the firing is unlawful because federal law allows judges to select a temporary attorney when a position remains vacant. His legal team contends that the removal violates the Appointments Clause of the Constitution and allows the executive branch to bypass the Senate's confirmation process. The administration defended the move, with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stating that the President maintains the authority to fire any U.S. attorney. Blanche noted that the judges failed to consult with the administration before making their selection. This marks the first time a court-appointed U.S. attorney has sued to remain in his post until a permanent, Senate-confirmed nominee is officially named.