Trump Fires Newly Sworn Federal Prosecutor in Washington Within an Hour

Roger Rogoff was appointed as the federal prosecutor for Western Washington by district judges and sworn in yesterday morning at the federal courthouse in Seattle. However, less than an hour after his swearing-in, while awaiting his first work meeting, Rogoff received an email from the Trump administration notifying him of his immediate dismissal by President Donald Trump. Rogoff, a former supreme court judge and veteran prosecutor, had succeeded Charles Neal Floyd, who served as acting prosecutor for 120 days until February.

This sudden firing has ignited a new legal confrontation over presidential authority versus judicial appointments, turning the appointment of a senior Justice Department official into an unprecedented political clash. Todd Blanch, acting Attorney General, defended the administration's position on social media platform X, stating that while district judges can appoint temporary federal prosecutors, the president retains the right to remove them. He also criticized the Washington district judges for bypassing the usual consultation process with the administration to ensure the nominee aligns with the current government's views.

The incident marks an escalation in tensions between the Trump White House and judicial institutions in regions known for opposing his policies. Both sides dispute the legal interpretations surrounding temporary appointments of senior Justice Department officials, making this episode a significant chapter in the ongoing power struggle between the executive branch and the courts.