Justice Department Fires U.S. Attorney Hours After Judicial Appointment
Washington, D.C. – In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the Biden administration and the judiciary, James Hundley was fired as interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia just hours after being unanimously appointed to the position by federal judges. The dismissal, announced Friday by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche via a post on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, marks the latest clash over the appointment of top federal prosecutors.
Judicial Appointment Overturned
Chief U.S. District Judge M. Hannah Lauck administered the oath of office to Hundley Friday evening in Richmond, Virginia, following a unanimous decision by judges in the Eastern District of Virginia. However, Deputy Attorney General Blanche swiftly countered the appointment with a social media statement: “Here we go again. EDVA judges do not pick our US Attorney. POTUS does. James Hundley, you’re fired!”
Neither Hundley nor the Department of Justice (DOJ) have responded to requests for comment regarding the dismissal, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia has declined to comment.
Background: Lindsey Halligan and Prior Controversies
Hundley’s appointment followed the departure of Lindsey Halligan, a Trump loyalist who left the position in late January after a federal judge ruled her appointment unlawful. Halligan, a former insurance attorney with no prior prosecutorial experience, had pursued cases against perceived political opponents of former President Trump, including Fresh York Attorney General Leticia James and former FBI Director James Comey. These cases were ultimately unsuccessful.
Federal law allows judges to appoint a U.S. Attorney if a presidential nominee has not been confirmed within 120 days of their appointment. This provision has been invoked in recent months as the administration has moved to replace Trump-appointed U.S. Attorneys.
Pattern of Dismissals
This is not an isolated incident. The Justice Department has recently fired other U.S. Attorneys appointed by federal judges. In July, Desiree Leigh Grace was fired after being appointed as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, set to succeed Alina Habba, a former personal lawyer to President Trump. Last week, Donald Kinsella was fired as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York the same day he was appointed by federal judges, receiving an email from the White House directing his removal.
Hundley’s Experience
James Hundley is a veteran litigator with over 30 years of experience handling complex criminal and civil cases in state and federal courts across Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland. He has argued successfully before the U.S. Supreme Court and has served as a Council Member at Large to the Virginia State Bar, appointed by the Virginia Supreme Court.