DOJ Fires Judge-Appointed U.S. Attorney in Virginia
Deputy AG Todd Blanche fired James Hundley hours after judges unanimously appointed him interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
Overview
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche posted on X that James W. Hundley was fired hours after federal judges unanimously appointed him interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.
The action escalates a dispute over whether district judges or the president and attorney general may appoint interim U.S. attorneys under a federal rule that limits temporary service to 120 days.
Hundley said in a statement that he was honored to be appointed and will continue to support the justice system despite his dismissal.
It is the second time this month the administration fired a prosecutor appointed by judges, and judges in New York, New Jersey, California and Nevada have ruled Trump-era temporary U.S. attorneys unlawful.
A judge dismissed indictments against Letitia James and James Comey in November after finding Lindsey Halligan unlawfully appointed, and the Justice Department has appealed that ruling.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present the conflict as a legal-institutional clash, emphasizing judicial rulings and procedural norms. They use charged descriptors like "sacked" and "unlawfully appointed," foreground judges' reasoning and critical judicial language, and include DOJ defenses later, producing a narrative that privileges rule-of-law concerns over executive assertions.
Sources (5)
FAQ
Federal law allows district court judges to appoint interim prosecutors if a presidential nominee is not confirmed by the Senate within 120 days[3]. However, the Trump administration contends that the president and attorney general ultimately control such appointments[3]. This dispute has led to conflicting rulings, with judges in at least five states ruling that Trump administration-appointed temporary U.S. attorneys are serving unlawfully[4].
Lindsey Halligan, a Trump administration appointee, served for four months and secured indictments against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James[2]. However, a judge ruled her appointment invalid and dismissed the indictments[2]. Halligan subsequently resigned last month after judges signaled continued skepticism about the legitimacy of her appointment[1].
James Hundley is a veteran litigator with 35 years of legal experience who previously worked as a prosecutor before opening his own criminal defense firm[2]. He serves on the Virginia State Bar Council and has argued before the Supreme Court in a case upholding Miranda warning requirements[2]. He is recognized among top criminal defense lawyers and has lectured at leading law schools[3].
No. This is the second time in one month the administration has fired a prosecutor appointed by judges[2]. Last week, a lawyer appointed by judges to be the U.S. attorney for northern New York was fired by the Justice Department after spending less than a day in the job[1].
The Eastern District of Virginia has been at the center of controversy due to politically sensitive investigations involving New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey, both Trump critics[3]. The position has experienced significant upheaval since September 2025, when veteran prosecutor Erik Siebert was effectively forced out amid pressure to prosecute these political foes[1]. Federal judges in at least five states—Virginia, New York, New Jersey, California, and Nevada—have ruled that Trump administration-appointed temporary U.S. attorneys are serving unlawfully[4].
History
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