Justice Department Axes Prosecutor Appointed to Replace Trump Ally in Virginia
A federal prosecutor, recently appointed by judges to a pivotal role in Virginia, was abruptly terminated by the Justice Department on Friday. This dismissal underscores the escalating tensions surrounding the appointment of U.S. attorneys, particularly those involved in politically charged cases.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche took to social media to announce the firing of James Hundley, who had just been selected to succeed Lindsey Halligan, a former Trump attorney, as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. The legal framework allows district courts to appoint U.S. attorneys when initial appointments expire, yet the Trump administration has consistently argued that this authority lies exclusively with the executive branch.
Blanche's message on X was clear: "EDVA judges do not pick our US Attorney. POTUS does. James Hundley, you’re fired!"
With over three decades of experience in both criminal and civil law, Hundley did not respond to requests for comment following his dismissal.
This incident reflects ongoing instability within one of the Justice Department’s most prestigious offices. Since September, the office has been in turmoil after a veteran prosecutor resigned under pressure from the Trump administration to pursue cases against high-profile political opponents, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Erik Siebert, the prosecutor who left, was succeeded by Halligan, who managed to secure indictments against Comey and James. However, a judge later deemed her appointment unlawful, leading to the dismissal of those cases. The Justice Department has since appealed this ruling.
Halligan stepped down last month amid ongoing skepticism from district judges regarding her appointment's legitimacy.
U.S. attorneys serve as the principal federal prosecutors in regional Justice Department offices across the country and typically require Senate confirmation. Nevertheless, the law permits attorneys general to make temporary appointments for limited durations. The Justice Department has frequently attempted to maintain these temporary appointees, resulting in legal challenges and pushback from judges who have ruled such appointments unlawful.
In a related incident just last week, a lawyer appointed by judges to serve as the U.S. attorney for northern New York was also dismissed by the Justice Department after less than a day in office. This followed judges' refusal to retain John Sarcone, the Trump administration's choice, once his 120-day term expired.
