Justice Department swiftly fires lawyer chosen as top federal prosecutor for Virginia office
WASHINGTON (AP) — A lawyer picked by judges to serve as the lead federal prosecutor for a Virginia office that pursues cases against enemies of President Donald Trump was swiftly fired by the Justice Department on Friday in the latest battle over Trump’s appointment. powerful US lawyers.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced James Hundley’s firing on social media shortly after the justices unanimously selected him to replace the former Trump lawyer. Lindsey Halligan as interim US attorney For the Eastern District of Virginia. Although the law says the district court can select U.S. attorneys once the initial appointment expires, the Trump administration has insisted that the authority rests solely with the executive branch.
“EDVA judges don’t choose our US Attorney. POTUS does. James Hundley, you’re fired!” Blanche said in a post on X.
Hundley, who has handled criminal and civil cases for more than 30 years, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment Friday evening.
Hundley’s dismissal is the latest reflection of turmoil in one of the Justice Department’s most elite prosecutors’ offices; That office has been mired in turmoil since September following the insurrection. Resignation of senior prosecutor It comes amid a push by the Trump administration to indict former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, two of the president’s biggest political enemies.
Prosecutor Erik Siebert was effectively fired and replaced by White House aide Halligan, who quickly filed charges against Comey and James but was later deemed guilty by a judge. happened unlawfully appointed. The cases were dismissed, but the Department of Justice appealed this decision.
Halligan resigned from his post last month after judges in the district signaled continued doubts about the legitimacy of his appointment.
U.S. attorneys, the top federal prosecutors in regional Justice Department offices around the country, generally require Senate confirmation, but the law allows attorneys general to make temporary appointments for limited periods. But in some cases, the Justice Department attempted to leave temporary appointees in place, prompting objections from courts and resistance from judges who deemed the appointments unlawful.
Last week, a lawyer appointed by judges to be the U.S. attorney for Northern New York was fired by the Justice Department after spending less than a day on the job. District judges appointed Kinsella after refusing to keep Trump administration pick John Sarcone in place past the end of his 120-day term.
