White House Swiftly Fires US Attorney Selected to Replace Trump Pick

New York, Feb 12 : A newly appointed U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York was dismissed by the White House within hours of his selection by federal judges, marking the latest flashpoint in an ongoing standoff between the Trump administration and the judiciary.

Donald T. Kinsella, 79, was sworn in during a private ceremony on Wednesday but soon received an email from a White House official informing him of his removal. Speaking later, Kinsella said he was uncertain whether the directive carried legal authority and planned to consult district judges before deciding on his next steps.

The administration had previously indicated it would terminate any prosecutor appointed by district judges rather than the president. Reinforcing that position, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche wrote on social media, “Judges don’t pick U.S. Attorneys, @POTUS does… You are fired, Donald Kinsella,” referencing constitutional powers under Article II.

Kinsella brings more than five decades of experience in criminal and civil litigation and previously served as criminal chief in the same district, which oversees federal cases across regions including Albany, Syracuse, and Utica. He was set to replace John A. Sarcone III, whose tenure was recently deemed unlawful by a judge after his 210-day interim term expired. Sarcone has since reverted to the role of first assistant.

Several U.S. attorney appointments linked to unusual legal pathways under the Trump administration have faced judicial scrutiny in recent months. Among them were Alina Habba in New Jersey and Lindsey Halligan in the Eastern District of Virginia, both of whom departed their posts following similar controversies.

Observers say the episode highlights growing friction over appointment authority and raises fresh questions about the balance of power between the executive branch and federal courts.