Under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, a first assistant U.S. Attorney automatically becomes interim U.S. Attorney if there's a vacancy. So can the AG name someone the first assistant to a vacant U.S. Attorney position and have them automatically elevated? Unanimous Ninth Circuit: Joining every other court that has considered the question, no.
Sigal Chattah, a prominent Nevada conservative who previously served as the state's Republican National Committeewoman, can no longer oversee federal prosecutions in Nevada.
In September, the Nevada Federal Defender's Office sued to disqualify Chattah, arguing that the Trump administration pursued a series of illegal personnel maneuvers to keep her atop Nevada's federal judiciary. The appeals court agreed.
Back to News Page