White House Fires U.S. Attorney Hours After Appointment in New York Clash

On February 11, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice, under the Trump administration, abruptly fired Donald T. Kinsella as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York just hours after he was appointed by a panel of federal judges. The decision highlighted a deepening conflict between the executive branch and the federal judiciary over who has authority to fill top federal prosecutor posts when vacancies occur. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

Kinsella, a 79‑year‑old veteran litigator and former federal prosecutor, had been sworn in earlier in the day after judges selected him to replace John A. Sarcone III, whose interim tenure had been ruled unlawful by a federal court. Within roughly five hours, the White House informed Kinsella via email that he was removed, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche asserting that “Judges don’t pick U.S. Attorneys, [the president of the United States] does,” citing Article II of the Constitution. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

The firing comes amid ongoing legal battles over interim U.S. attorney appointments in multiple districts, where judges have found several Trump‑era appointees serving beyond statutory limits without Senate confirmation. The administration has pushed back against judicial authority to make temporary appointments, arguing that presidential control over key law enforcement positions is essential to uphold executive powers. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Critics of the move say the action undermines the rule of law and creates instability within U.S. attorney offices, which are responsible for federal prosecutions and major legal actions across regions. Supporters in the administration maintain the president’s constitutional authority to appoint and remove U.S. attorneys supersedes judicial selections, even in interim circumstances. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}

The incident has left the Northern District of New York without a permanent Senate‑confirmed U.S. Attorney, with questions now arising about who will lead prosecutions in the region and how the administration will navigate future appointments amid continued judicial scrutiny. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}