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Trump Administration Fires Judge‑Appointed Virginia U.S. Attorney James Hundley Hours After Selection

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Judges Unanimously Appoint Hundley as Interim U.S. Attorney On Friday, Feb. 21, 2026, the Eastern District of Virginia judges selected James Hundley unanimously to serve as interim U.S. attorney, filling the vacancy left by Erik Siebert’s September resignation under presidential pressure [1][2][3]. The judges invoked a federal statute that permits district courts to appoint a temporary U.S. attorney when the previous officeholder’s term expires [1][3]. Hundley, a veteran defense lawyer with more than three decades of criminal and civil experience, was slated to replace interim appointee Lindsey Halligan, who stepped down after a court ruled her appointment unlawful [2][3].

Deputy Attorney General Announces Immediate Dismissal on X Within hours, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche posted on X that “POTUS does… James Hundley, you’re fired!” asserting the President’s exclusive authority to name U.S. attorneys [1][2][3]. The tweet was accompanied by a follow‑up from White House deputy chief Dan Scavino telling Hundley to “check your email,” indicating an official termination notice had been sent [2]. No formal DOJ press release accompanied the dismissal, and the department declined to comment to reporters [2].

Hundley’s Experience Highlighted, Yet He Remains Silent Hundley’s résumé includes over 30 years defending clients in federal criminal and civil matters, and he praised the judges’ appointment as “a great honor” in a BBC statement [1]. After the firing, Hundley declined to provide a comment to CNN or the Associated Press, and both outlets reported he remained silent [2][3]. The rapid termination left the Eastern District of Virginia without a confirmed U.S. attorney for the second time this month [1][3].

Series of Judge‑Selected Prosecutors Removed by Administration The dismissal follows the September ouster of Erik Siebert, the brief tenure of Lindsey Halligan, and the one‑day firing of Northern District of New York’s judge‑appointed lawyer John Sarcone, illustrating a broader pattern of the administration rejecting court‑selected prosecutors [1][3]. Federal courts in New York, New Jersey, California and Nevada have previously ruled that Trump‑appointed interim attorneys were unlawful, leading to the dismissal of cases against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James [1][3]. These rulings reinforce district judges’ statutory authority to fill vacancies until the Senate confirms a presidential nominee [1][3].

Statutory Judge Authority Clashes With Presidential Appointment Power Under existing law, district judges may temporarily appoint U.S. attorneys, but the Justice Department argues the President can install interim officials without Senate confirmation [1][3]. The clash in Virginia highlights how the administration’s insistence on presidential control conflicts with judicial interpretations that have repeatedly invalidated such appointments [1][3]. Legal scholars note that the ongoing disputes could prompt further litigation over the balance of appointment powers [3].

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Timeline

Mar 2025 – Pam Bondi appoints John Sarcone as interim U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York, beginning a series of unconventional designations that later courts deem unlawful [7].

Sept 2025 – President Trump’s aide Lindsey Halligan becomes interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, despite having no prior prosecutorial experience, and quickly files indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James [14].

Nov 30, 2025 – U.S. District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie rules that Halligan’s 120‑day interim appointment violated federal law, voiding the Comey and James indictments and stripping her of authority to act as U.S. attorney [13].

Dec 1, 2025 – DOJ officials consider presenting a fresh indictment against James Comey as early as the week, pending a decision on how to proceed after the Currie dismissal [12].

Dec 4, 2025 – A federal grand jury in Virginia declines to indict Letitia James on mortgage‑fraud charges; James calls the charges “baseless” and decries the “weaponization” of the justice system [2].

Dec 4, 2025 – A New York grand jury also refuses to indict James for the second time, underscoring the rarity of such rejections (only five out of 165,000 federal cases in 2013) [10].

Dec 5, 2025 – A Norfolk grand jury again rejects a re‑filed indictment against James, reinforcing her claim that the case is politically motivated [23].

Dec 11, 2025 – An Alexandria grand jury declines a second indictment of James; her lawyer Abbe Lowell calls the prosecution a “shocking assault” on the rule of law [9].

Dec 12, 2025 – Yet another federal grand jury refuses to indict James, leaving the DOJ to decide whether to pursue a third grand jury or drop the case [8].

Dec 20, 2025 – DOJ files appeals with the Fourth Circuit to revive the Comey and James indictments despite the Currie ruling that Halligan’s appointment was unlawful [15].

Jan 8, 2026 – U.S. District Judge Lorna Schofield bars John Sarcone from two investigations into Letitia James, declaring his acting‑U.S.‑attorney status void and quashing his subpoenas [7].

Jan 13, 2026 – The Justice Department files a brief defending Halligan’s authority, accusing Judge David Novak of overreaching and “abusing” judicial power in demanding she justify her title [5][20].

Jan 13, 2026 – DOJ fires top Eastern District prosecutor Robert McBride amid internal turmoil following Halligan’s controversial tenure [6].

Jan 13, 2026 – Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Attorney General Pam Bondi jointly denounce Judge Novak’s order as an “abuse of power” that threatens the separation of powers [20].

Jan 21, 2026 – Lindsey Halligan departs the Eastern District of Virginia after a court finds her appointment unlawful; Bondi calls her exit a “significant loss” and says Halligan will continue to serve the country in other ways [4][14][19].

Jan 21, 2026 – Chief Judge M. Hannah Lauck advertises applications for a new interim U.S. attorney, setting a deadline of Feb 10 to fill the vacancy created by Halligan’s departure [4].

Feb 21, 2026 – Eastern District judges unanimously appoint veteran lawyer James Hundley as interim U.S. attorney, citing statutory authority to fill the vacancy left by Erik Siebert’s September resignation [3].

Feb 21, 2026 – Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche tweets “EDVA judges do not pick our US Attorney. POTUS does. James Hundley, you’re fired!” and immediately terminates Hundley, asserting the President’s exclusive appointment power [1][18].

Feb 21, 2026 – In a BBC statement, Hundley calls his brief appointment “a great honor” and pledges to keep supporting the country and its justice system despite being fired [1].

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