Trump Admin Fires New York U.S. Attorney Hours After Federal Judges Appoint Him

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Donald Kinsella, a veteran prosecutor, was abruptly removed from his appointment as U.S. Attorney for New York’s Northern District on Wednesday, just hours after federal judges temporarily installed him in the role.

The White House reportedly informed Kinsella of his dismissal via email, underscoring tensions between the executive branch and federal courts over control of top federal prosecutors.

Kinsella, a longtime federal prosecutor and former assistant U.S. attorney in Albany, had been named to replace John Sarcone, whose interim appointment had been struck down by a federal judge as unlawful.

Kinsella expressed uncertainty over whether the White House action carried legal weight and said he planned to consult with Northern District judges on next steps.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche made the administration’s position clear in a public X post, stating, “Judges don’t pick U.S. Attorneys, POTUS does. See Article II of our Constitution. You are fired, Donald Kinsella.”

Attorney General Pam Bondi then named Sarcone first assistant U.S. attorney and “special attorney” to allow him to continue exercising U.S. attorney powers—a move later struck down by U.S. District Judge Lorna Schofield, as previously reported by Resist the Mainstream.

Judge Schofield ruled that Sarcone “is not lawfully serving as Acting U.S. Attorney” and barred him from overseeing investigations, including those involving New York Attorney General Letitia James.

The court also quashed subpoenas issued by Sarcone’s office related to probes into James and the National Rifle Association. The Justice Department has appealed the ruling to the Second Circuit.

This Northern District clash is part of a broader judicial pattern.

Federal courts in New Jersey, California, Virginia, and Nevada have similarly challenged Trump administration interim appointments, effectively blocking the president’s choices for top prosecutors.

Critics argue the administration bypassed Senate confirmation requirements, while DOJ officials maintain the president and attorney general hold legal authority to select U.S. attorneys.

Kinsella, a Boston University School of Law graduate, previously served as chief of the criminal division and led the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force during his 1989–2002 tenure as an assistant U.S. attorney in Albany, according to The Independent.

He later joined private practice, most recently as senior counsel at Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP.

His swift dismissal illustrates growing institutional friction between the executive branch and judges attempting to restrict the administration’s appointments.

Conservative commentators note that these judicial interventions reflect a troubling trend of unelected judges undermining the executive branch, even in law enforcement appointments.

Several Trump-appointed interim U.S. attorneys faced similar roadblocks, raising questions about separation of powers and the proper limits of judicial authority over executive offices.

The White House action has sparked debate over the balance of power in filling U.S. attorney vacancies.

Kinsella has indicated he will consult with judges to explore next steps, while Sarcone remains with the Justice Department pending appeals.

The episode underscores a conservative concern: federal judges repeatedly interfering with the president’s constitutional authority, even in key law enforcement positions, creating confusion and instability in federal prosecutions.