President Donald Trump has dismissed Roger Rogoff from his position as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington less than an hour after federal judges appointed him to the role, intensifying an ongoing dispute between the White House and the federal judiciary over temporary prosecutor appointments.
Rogoff, a longtime prosecutor and former Washington state judge, was officially sworn in during a ceremony at the federal courthouse in Seattle. Shortly afterward, while visiting the U.S. Attorney's Office, he received an email notifying him that his appointment had been terminated by the Trump administration.
The dismissal came only minutes after a panel of 17 federal judges unanimously selected Rogoff to fill the vacancy. The judges exercised their authority under federal law after the previous interim U.S. attorney's temporary appointment expired without a Senate-confirmed replacement.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended the administration's decision, arguing that although federal judges may appoint a temporary U.S. attorney, the president retains the authority to remove that official. Blanche also criticized the judges for moving forward with the appointment without coordinating with the Justice Department.
The vacancy has remained unresolved for months. President Trump initially appointed Charles Neil Floyd as interim U.S. attorney in 2025, but after his 120-day term expired, the administration reassigned him as First Assistant U.S. Attorney instead of submitting his nomination to the Senate for confirmation.
That approach has faced increasing legal scrutiny. Earlier this year, a federal appeals court questioned whether the administration's method of extending temporary leadership positions complies with federal law. Similar disputes have emerged in several states, including New Jersey, Virginia, Nevada, and New York.
Democratic Senator Patty Murray strongly criticized Rogoff's dismissal, saying he was legally appointed by the federal judges and had a distinguished career in public service. She argued that the administration was attempting to avoid the Senate confirmation process by keeping preferred candidates in office through temporary arrangements.
Rogoff, who previously served as both a federal and state prosecutor before becoming a judge, acknowledged that he expected the possibility of being removed shortly after accepting the position. He said he is consulting legal counsel and is considering challenging his dismissal in court.
If a lawsuit is filed, legal experts expect the case could become an important test of presidential authority over court-appointed U.S. attorneys and may further define the balance of power between the executive branch and the federal judiciary.
The dispute adds to a growing series of legal battles involving temporary federal prosecutor appointments during President Trump's second term, with several courts already examining whether similar appointments complied with federal law.
