DOJ Dismisses Judge-Selected Virginia Prosecutor Within Hours of Appointment

The Justice Department immediately terminated James Hundley on Friday after federal judges unanimously selected him as interim U.S. attorney for Virginia's Eastern District. This marks the latest power struggle between the Trump administration and federal courts over who has authority to appoint top prosecutors.

WASHINGTON — Federal officials terminated a prosecutor within hours of his selection by judges to lead a prominent Virginia U.S. attorney’s office on Friday, escalating an ongoing dispute between the Trump administration and the judiciary over prosecutorial appointments.

James Hundley was unanimously selected by federal judges to take over as interim U.S. attorney for Virginia’s Eastern District, replacing former Trump attorney Lindsey Halligan in the role. However, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche quickly announced Hundley’s dismissal through social media, asserting executive authority over the appointment process.

“EDVA judges do not pick our US Attorney. POTUS does. James Hundley, you’re fired!” Blanche wrote on X.

Hundley, an attorney with over three decades of experience in both criminal and civil litigation, had not responded to requests for comment by Friday evening.

This dismissal represents the most recent disruption within one of the nation’s premier federal prosecution offices, which has experienced significant instability since September. The turmoil began when veteran prosecutor Erik Siebert stepped down under administration pressure to bring charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, two prominent Trump critics.

Following Siebert’s departure, the administration installed Halligan, a White House staff member, who proceeded to secure indictments against both Comey and James. However, a federal judge later ruled that Halligan’s appointment violated legal procedures, leading to the dismissal of both cases. The Justice Department has challenged this ruling on appeal.

Halligan stepped down from her position last month after district judges continued to question whether her appointment was legitimate under federal law.

While U.S. attorneys normally undergo Senate confirmation, federal statutes allow attorneys general to make temporary appointments for restricted periods. The Justice Department has faced multiple legal challenges for attempting to extend these temporary positions beyond their authorized terms, with judges frequently ruling such extensions improper.

A similar situation unfolded in northern New York last week, where the Justice Department dismissed a judge-appointed U.S. attorney after less than 24 hours on the job. District judges had selected that attorney after refusing to extend the term of the Trump administration’s preferred candidate, John Sarcone, beyond his 120-day limit.