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The Trump Justice Department dismissed the newly appointed US attorney for western Washington state less than an hour after he was sworn in, setting up yet another legal battle over the president's appointment powers.

Roger Rogoff, a former King County judge and veteran state and federal prosecutor, was sworn in Wednesday morning at the federal courthouse in downtown Seattle after he was unanimously appointed by the district's 17 federal judges.

4 King County Superior Court Judge Roger Rogoff stands in court on Oct. 10, 2016, in Seattle. AP Photo/Ted S. Warren

4 Roger Rogoff seen in an undated photo. KING 5 Seattle

Rogoff told the Associated Press in a phone interview that he then went to the federal prosecutor's office to request a meeting with first assistant US Attorney Charles Neil Floyd, a former immigration judge who had served as interim US attorney for a 120-day period that ended in February.

While waiting to meet with Floyd, Rogoff said, he received an email informing him of his removal by President Trump.

 District court judges can appoint a temporary U.S. Attorney, and POTUS can fire them,  acting Attorney General Todd Blanche posted on X Wednesday evening.  WDWA judges abandoned the time-honored process of consultation with the administration so that the selected U.S. Attorney is qualified to serve in the administration. Roger Rogoff has been fired by the President. 

US attorneys must be confirmed by the Senate, except in the case of interim appointments. Once an interim appointment expires after 120 days, federal judges can pick the new US attorney for any district.

4 President Trump as he greets Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi at the White House on July 14, 2026. REUTERS

Trump never formally submitted Floyd's nomination to the Senate, opting to keep him as first assistant US attorney in a controversial personnel move similar to ones the administration has tried before.

 Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an outstanding commitment to public service, and he was appointed legally by the federal judges in the 

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