Former U.S. Attorney Files Lawsuit After Being Fired 54 Minutes into Tenure

Roger Rogoff, who was appointed as the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington, was fired just 54 minutes after being sworn in. He has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming that it lacked the authority to remove him. Rogoff's appointment was unanimously decided by a panel of district court judges. His legal challenge questions the extent of presidential power over court-appointed U.S. attorneys, arguing that federal law allows him to serve until a Senate-confirmed successor is in place. The lawsuit could have implications for the president's ability to dismiss judicially selected prosecutors. A spokesperson for the Department of Justice stated that the firing was within the President's authority. Rogoff's case is notable as he is the first U.S. attorney to challenge such a dismissal in court. U.S. attorneys serve as chief prosecutors in their districts and oversee federal prosecutions. The White House directed inquiries to the Department of Justice, which did not provide additional comments.