What Happened to Roger Rogoff?

Roger Rogoff's brief tenure as U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington on July 15, 2026, ended almost as quickly as it began, sparking a significant constitutional dispute. Rogoff, a highly experienced attorney with a background as a King County prosecutor, assistant U.S. attorney, King County Superior Court judge, and director of the Washington State Office of Independent Investigations, was unanimously appointed by the federal judges of the Western District of Washington. This appointment was made under 28 U.S.C. Section 546(d), which allows district courts to fill a U.S. Attorney vacancy if an interim appointment expires and the President has not nominated a candidate for Senate confirmation. The district had been without a Senate-confirmed U.S. Attorney for three years, a situation the judges cited as justification for their action to ensure the effective administration of justice.

President Donald Trump, however, swiftly moved to dismiss Rogoff less than an hour after his swearing-in. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche stated on X that the judges had "abandoned" the practice of consulting with the Trump administration regarding their selection, asserting that the firing was "wholly within the President's authority." This dismissal is not an isolated incident, as the Trump administration had previously fired other court-appointed U.S. Attorneys in districts like New York, New Jersey, and Virginia, including Tessa M. Gorman, Rogoff's predecessor in the Western District of Washington, in February 2025.

The firing has been widely criticized by Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), who called Rogoff "eminently qualified" and stated that the President sought to install a "Trump administration sock puppet" rather than someone who would enforce the law fairly. Rogoff himself expressed disappointment but noted the firing was "not unexpected," as the court had informed the Trump administration of the upcoming appointment two weeks prior without receiving a reply. He confirmed he is now working with a team of lawyers and is "considering a lawsuit" to challenge the legality of his removal, potentially setting a precedent in the ongoing power struggle between the executive and judicial branches over these appointments.

As of July 16, 2026, the Western District of Washington's U.S. Attorney's office remains in a state of leadership flux. Charles Neil Floyd, whom Trump had appointed as interim U.S. Attorney and later as "First Assistant U.S. Attorney" without Senate confirmation, continues to lead the office. Rogoff's potential legal challenge represents a critical turning point, as it could be the first time a court-appointed U.S. Attorney directly sues the administration over such a dismissal, potentially clarifying the extent of presidential authority in these circumstances. The situation highlights a broader conflict regarding the separation of powers and the process of appointing federal prosecutors when the executive and legislative branches are at an impasse.