The battle over who gets to choose America’s top federal prosecutors took an extraordinary turn on July 15, 2026, when the Trump administration removed Roger Rogoff as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington just 54 minutes after he was sworn into office.
The remarkably short tenure immediately drew attention because it highlighted a growing constitutional dispute over presidential authority, judicial appointments, and the limits of executive power. While federal law allows district judges to appoint an interim U.S. Attorney under certain circumstances, the White House maintained that the President ultimately has the authority to remove that appointee.
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How a Long-Running Vacancy Led to a 54-Minute Tenure
The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington, based in Seattle, had been operating without a Senate-confirmed leader for an extended period.
Charles “Neil” Floyd, a former immigration judge viewed as conservative-leaning, had been appointed interim U.S. Attorney by then-Attorney General Pam Bondi in October 2025. After serving the standard 120-day interim period, Floyd continued in the office as First Assistant U.S. Attorney.
The Trump administration never formally nominated Floyd for permanent confirmation. One major obstacle was opposition from Democratic Senator Patty Murray of Washington, who invoked the Senate’s long-standing “blue slip” tradition.
With no presidential nomination sent to the Senate, the 17 federal judges of the Western District of Washington unanimously exercised their authority under federal law to appoint Roger Rogoff as interim U.S. Attorney. Rogoff, a former King County Superior Court judge and veteran state and federal prosecutor, was sworn in at approximately 7:40 a.m. at the federal courthouse in Seattle.
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Notably, the judges made the appointment without consulting the Trump Justice Department. Administration officials viewed the move as an attempt to bypass presidential appointment authority. Similar judge-led appointments followed by presidential removals had previously occurred in New York and New Jersey.
Key Timeline of the July 15 Events
| Time/Event | Details |
| Office vacancy | Western District of Washington operated without a Senate-confirmed U.S. Attorney |
| October 2025 | Pam Bondi appointed Charles “Neil” Floyd as interim U.S. Attorney |
| After 120 days | Floyd continued serving as First Assistant |
| July 15, 2026 – Around 7:40 a.m. | Roger Rogoff sworn in after unanimous appointment by the district’s 17 federal judges |
| 54 minutes later | President Trump removed Rogoff from the position |
| After dismissal | Neil Floyd remained First Assistant, effectively continuing office leadership |
The Email That Ended Rogoff’s Appointment
After taking the oath of office, Rogoff went to the U.S. Attorney’s office to meet with First Assistant Charles Neil Floyd.
While waiting for that meeting, Rogoff received an email from the White House informing him that President Donald Trump had removed him from office. The dismissal came exactly 54 minutes after his swearing-in.
Following the firing, Neil Floyd remained in his role as First Assistant, effectively continuing the office’s leadership.
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche publicly defended the decision on X, writing:
“District court judges can appoint a temporary U.S. Attorney, and POTUS can fire them. WDWA judges abandoned the time-honored process of consultation with the administration so that the selected U.S. Attorney is qualified to serve in the administration. Roger Rogoff has been fired by the President.”
The administration argued that while judges may temporarily appoint U.S. Attorneys under federal law, they do not ultimately decide who serves in those positions. According to the administration, that authority belongs to the President, who also has the power to ensure federal prosecutors align with the administration’s priorities.
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Rogoff Considers Legal Action as Constitutional Debate Grows
Rogoff criticized the administration for bypassing the Senate confirmation process, arguing that the approach damages office morale and weakens constitutional norms. He has retained an employment law firm and is weighing potential legal action challenging his dismissal. Reports also indicate he attempted to assume control of the office before being removed.
Legal experts, however, note that court-appointed interim U.S. Attorneys face significant challenges in contesting a presidential firing because Article II of the U.S. Constitution gives the President broad executive removal authority.
The incident also prompted sharply divided political reactions.
Democratic voices, including Senator Patty Murray, described Rogoff as “eminently qualified” and accused the administration of seeking “cronies” while undermining the rule of law.
Supporters of the administration argued the move reinforced constitutional limits on judicial appointments and prevented what they viewed as judicial overreach into executive authority.
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The dispute has become another example of the Trump administration’s broader effort during its second term to assert stronger executive control over Justice Department appointments, particularly in districts that have frequently handled legal challenges to Trump administration policies. It also highlights continuing debates over the separation of powers, Senate “blue slip” traditions, and the appointment of interim federal prosecutors during periods of political gridlock.
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