Trump Fires Seattle U.S. Attorney Roger Rogoff 54 Minutes After Court Appointment

President Trump fired Roger Rogoff from his position as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington on Wednesday, July 16, less than an hour after federal judges unanimously appointed him to the role. Rogoff, a former King County Superior Court judge and veteran prosecutor, was sworn in before 8 a.m. at the Seattle federal courthouse. While waiting in the lobby to meet with his predecessor, he received an email notifying him of his removal. The firing marks an unprecedented escalation in the Trump administration’s effort to control federal prosecutorial positions.

How the firing unfolded

Rogoff was sworn in as U.S. attorney before 8 a.m. on July 16 at the U.S. courthouse in downtown Seattle. He then went to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and asked to meet with Charles Neil Floyd, whose 120-day interim term had ended in February. While Rogoff waited in the lobby, he received an email from the Trump administration informing him he had been removed from the position. The entire tenure lasted 54 minutes, according to USA Today.

Why judges appointed Rogoff without Trump’s input

When a U.S. attorney’s temporary appointment expires before the president nominates and the Senate confirms a permanent replacement, federal judges in that district can appoint a temporary U.S. attorney. All 17 active and senior federal judges in the Western District of Washington unanimously appointed Rogoff, citing his deep ties to the region and career serving as a local prosecutor, federal prosecutor, and King County Superior Court judge. Trump had appointed Floyd as interim U.S. attorney in October 2025 but never forwarded his nomination to the Senate. When Floyd’s 120-day term expired, Trump shifted his title to first assistant U.S. attorney instead of nominating him.

The administration’s legal argument

Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the firing on social media, stating that judges can appoint a temporary U.S. attorney but the president can fire them. Blanche accused the judges of abandoning the time-honored consultation process and said Rogoff was not qualified to serve in the administration. He emphasized that the judges failed to consult with the Trump administration before making their selection, violating what he called standard practice.

Rogoff’s response and legal options

Rogoff told the Seattle Times that the rule of law requires prosecutorial decisions remain free from political interference and that lawful judicial appointments be respected. He said he is consulting with other lawyers about suing over his firing. Senator Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat, criticized the firing, calling Rogoff eminently qualified and accusing Trump of attempting to bypass the Senate’s advice-and-consent role to install loyalists. Murray stated that the people of Washington state deserve someone who will enforce the law fairly, not a Trump administration appointee.

Final Thoughts

The firing reveals a fundamental clash between the Trump administration and the judiciary over control of federal prosecutors. With judges having legal authority to appoint temporary U.S. attorneys when Senate-confirmed positions remain vacant, Rogoff’s swift removal sets a precedent that could reshape how prosecutorial vacancies are filled.

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