President Donald Trump dismissed U.S. Attorney Roger Rogoff on Wednesday, less than 60 minutes after Rogoff was sworn in as the top federal prosecutor for Washington state's Western District. The swift firing has ignited a political firestorm over the administration's handling of judicial appointments and its willingness to bypass traditional consultation processes.
Rogoff, a former King County Superior Court judge and veteran assistant U.S. attorney, took the oath of office shortly before 8 a.m. Pacific Time in downtown Seattle. But while waiting in the lobby of the U.S. Attorney's Office, he received an email from the Trump administration notifying him of his termination, according to an interview with The Associated Press.
Background of the Appointment Battle
The dispute stems from Trump's October appointment of Charles Neil Floyd, a former immigration judge, as interim U.S. attorney for the district. When Floyd's 120-day statutory term expired in February, the president changed his title to first assistant U.S. attorney in an effort to keep him in the role. A federal appeals court panel later questioned the legality of that maneuver.
In response, a group of 17 active and former federal judges in the district unanimously selected Rogoff to serve as interim U.S. attorney. Rogoff had previously worked as an assistant U.S. attorney in the same district and was widely respected by the bench.
Administration Defends the Firing
Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche defended Trump's decision, arguing that the judges had bypassed the standard process. “The group of judges in the Evergreen State abandoned the time-honored process of consultation with the administration so that the selected U.S. Attorney is qualified to serve in the administration,” Blanche said in a statement.
The administration's stance has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic leaders. Senator Patty Murray of Washington called Rogoff “eminently qualified” and labeled Floyd an “out-of-touch extremist.” In a strongly worded statement, Murray said: “This administration doesn't want to deal with advice and consent — they just want to install cronies to carry out a corrupt political agenda. The people of Washington state deserve someone in this role who will enforce the law fairly and responsibly — not some Trump administration sock puppet.”
The confrontation echoes broader tensions over the Trump administration's approach to the Justice Department, which has faced accusations of politicization. In a related development, Blanche stumbled on Trump ties during his own AG confirmation hearing, raising further questions about the administration's commitment to independent law enforcement.
Rogoff Considers Legal Action
Despite the setback, Rogoff expressed pride in his career and said he is consulting with attorneys about potential legal action against the administration. “The fact that the judges of this district — most of whom I've spent my career appearing in front of, or trying cases against, or working with — believed that I was the right person to do this work is just really humbling and amazing,” he told the AP.
The firing comes as the Trump administration faces mounting political and legal challenges. Trump faces mounting crises as a primetime address looms, and the controversy over Rogoff's dismissal adds another layer of tension to an already volatile political landscape.
Washington state's U.S. Attorney's Office handles a wide range of federal cases, from drug trafficking and white-collar crime to terrorism and national security matters. The ongoing uncertainty over who will lead the office could disrupt ongoing investigations and prosecutions, legal experts say.
