The Justice Department has abruptly fired a federal prosecutor who was recently chosen by judges to lead a key Virginia office, escalating an ongoing dispute over the appointment of powerful US attorneys across the nation.
Swift Dismissal Follows Judicial Selection
On Friday, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the dismissal of James Hundley via social media, shortly after judges in the Eastern District of Virginia unanimously selected him to replace Lindsey Halligan as US attorney. Halligan, a former lawyer for President Donald Trump, had resigned last month amid persistent judicial skepticism regarding the legitimacy of her appointment.
Blanche stated on X: "EDVA judges do not pick our US Attorney. POTUS does. James Hundley, you’re fired!" This declaration underscores the Trump administration's firm stance that the executive branch holds sole authority over such appointments, despite legal statutes permitting district courts to select US attorneys when initial appointments expire.
Turmoil in Elite Prosecution Office
Hundley's firing reflects continued turmoil within one of the Justice Department's most elite prosecution offices. Since September, the office has faced significant upheaval following the resignation of veteran prosecutor Erik Siebert. Siebert was effectively forced out amid pressure from the Trump administration to pursue cases against two prominent political adversaries: former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
Halligan, a White House aide, quickly replaced Siebert and secured indictments against Comey and James. However, a judge later ruled her appointment unlawful, leading to the dismissal of those cases. The Justice Department has appealed this decision, but Halligan resigned last month as judges in the district continued to question the legitimacy of her role.
Broader Pattern of Appointment Conflicts
This incident is part of a broader pattern of conflict over US attorney appointments. Typically, these top federal prosecutors in regional Justice Department offices require Senate confirmation. However, the law allows attorneys general to make temporary appointments for limited periods. In several instances, the Justice Department has attempted to retain temporary appointees, sparking court challenges and resistance from judges who deem such appointments unlawful.
Just last week, a lawyer appointed by judges to be the US attorney for northern New York was also fired by the Justice Department after serving less than a day. Judges in that district had appointed Kinsella after refusing to retain the Trump administration's choice, John Sarcone, once his 120-day term concluded.
James Hundley, who boasts over 30 years of experience in criminal and civil cases, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on Friday evening. His dismissal highlights the deepening rift between the judiciary and the executive branch over the control of federal prosecutorial power.
