Black history month
BLACK mobile logo

california

politics

Trump administration fires Virginia prosecutor hours after judges appointed him

February 21, 2026

The Trump administration fired James W. Hundley just hours after a judicial panel unanimously appointed him as interim US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announcing the dismissal on social media. This represents the second instance this month where the Trump administration has terminated a judge-appointed prosecutor, reflecting an ongoing dispute over whether judges or the president holds appointment authority for these positions.

Who is affected

  • James W. Hundley (fired interim US Attorney)
  • Erik Siebert (resigned former US Attorney for Eastern District of Virginia)
  • Lindsey Halligan (White House aide appointed to the position)
  • New York Attorney General Letitia James (subject of mortgage fraud investigation)
  • Former FBI Director James Comey (indicted for allegedly lying to Congress)
  • District court judges in Virginia, New York, New Jersey, California, and Nevada
  • The Eastern District of Virginia US Attorney's office
  • President Donald Trump and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche

What action is being taken

  • The Trump administration is firing prosecutors appointed by judges and appointing its own interim US attorneys without Senate confirmation.

Why it matters

  • This situation represents a significant constitutional conflict over the separation of powers and the proper appointment process for federal prosecutors. The dispute affects the integrity of high-profile investigations and prosecutions, particularly those involving political figures like Letitia James and James Comey, raising concerns about politicization of the justice system. Multiple federal courts have already ruled that the Trump administration's appointment methods are unlawful, suggesting the administration may be circumventing established legal procedures and Senate oversight designed to ensure prosecutorial independence.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC