SEATTLE — A former federal judge who was fired less than an hour after being sworn in as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington sued the Trump administration on Tuesday, seeking reinstatement until a permanent successor is confirmed.
Roger Rogoff, who was unanimously appointed by a panel of federal judges after the position had been vacant for months, was notified shortly after taking office last week that President Donald Trump had removed him.
In the lawsuit, Rogoff named Trump, acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and the U.S. Department of Justice as defendants. He asked a federal court to declare his dismissal unlawful and allow him to remain in office until a presidential nominee is confirmed by the Senate.
The Justice Department defended the firing, saying the district court did not consult the department before appointing Rogoff.
“The district court did not coordinate with DOJ on this selection. Consistent with other firings of this type, this is wholly within the President’s authority,” a Justice Department spokesperson said.
Blanche also wrote on X that district court judges may appoint a temporary U.S. attorney, but “POTUS can fire them.”
Rogoff’s attorneys argue the dismissal violated federal law governing judicial appointments of interim U.S. attorneys and the Constitution’s Appointments Clause, contending the president cannot nullify a court’s lawful appointment before a permanent replacement is confirmed.
The case is the first legal challenge by a court-appointed U.S. attorney dismissed by the Trump administration. Similar court-appointed prosecutors in Virginia and New York were also removed after taking office earlier this year.
