Roger Rogoff, the former U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington in Seattle, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming his firing was unlawful. Rogoff was appointed to the position last week by judges of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington but was removed less than an hour later by President Trump.

Rogoff's lawsuit asks the federal district court in Seattle to void his firing and declare that he remains the U.S. attorney until a replacement is nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate. He argues that his removal violates a federal statute governing U.S. attorney vacancies as well as the Constitution's Appointments Clause.

His lawyers warned that if the court does not block the administration's actions, it would allow the Executive Branch to indefinitely evade the Senate's advice-and-consent role. "Defendants' attempt to fire [Rogoff] cannot stand," they said.

Under federal law, the attorney general may appoint an interim U.S. attorney for a 120-day term. However, Rogoff was appointed by the court after that term expired. Following his court appointment, Rogoff received an email from the Executive Office of the President informing him of his removal.

Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, also named as a defendant in the lawsuit, announced that President Trump fired Rogoff last Wednesday and accused the district judges of failing to consult with the administration before making their appointment.

Rogoff stated, "The President's actions violate the law, and they ignore the protections of the Constitution of the United States. His removal of me, like his removal of other court-appointed U.S. Attorneys across the country, is illegal and cannot stand."

Sources