Court Restores Roger Rogoff as U.S. Attorney After Injunction
Roger Rogoff holds the office of U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington following a preliminary injunction, which blocked the Trump administration from removing him and directed the Department of Justice not to interfere with his duties, mto.com reported.
The Western District of Washington federal judges unanimously appointed Rogoff on July 15, 2026, after a bipartisan merit selection panel reviewed candidates. The administration informed Rogoff that the president directed his removal less than an hour after he took the oath of office.
Judge Grants Injunction over U.S. Attorney Removal
Munger, Tolles & Olson and co-counsel HKM Employment Attorneys filed a lawsuit arguing that the removal violated federal law and the constitutional separation-of-powers framework. Under the governing statute, an attorney general may appoint an interim U.S. attorney for up to 120 days. When vacancies remain after that period expires, the district court may appoint a U.S. attorney to serve until Senate confirmation of a presidential nominee.
U.S. District Judge Stanley Bastian of the Eastern District of Washington granted the motion for a preliminary injunction following an October 1 hearing. The court concluded that Rogoff was likely to succeed on his claims and that the president lacked the authority to unilaterally remove a court-appointed U.S. attorney. The order prohibits the government from treating anyone else as the district’s chief federal law enforcement officer while the litigation proceeds.
Justice Department Appeals Ruling as Litigation Continues
MTO Partner Hailyn Chen argued the motion. The firm’s litigation team also includes Partners Don Verrilli and Victoria Degtyareva alongside Associates Shannon Galvin Aminirad, Esthena Barlow, Connor Hoge, and Cynthia Long.
The Department of Justice filed a notice of appeal following the ruling.