White House Fires U.S. Attorney Appointed by Judges

Donald Kinsella was removed from the Northern District of New York post just hours after being sworn in.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The White House fired Donald Kinsella, the newly appointed U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York, just hours after he was sworn into the position. Kinsella was appointed to the role by federal judges to replace a Trump loyalist, but the White House intervened to remove him the same day.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the executive and judicial branches over the appointment of U.S. Attorneys. The White House's move to fire Kinsella, who was appointed through the court's constitutional authority, raises questions about the balance of power and the president's control over federal prosecutors.

The details

Donald Kinsella, a veteran government attorney, was appointed and sworn in as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York in a private ceremony on Wednesday. However, later that same day he received an email from the White House stating that the "president directed that I be removed" without any explanation. The White House later directed NBC News to a social media post by the Deputy Attorney General stating that "Judges don't pick U.S. Attorneys, @POTUS does."

  • On Wednesday, Donald Kinsella was appointed and sworn in as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York.
  • On Wednesday, the White House fired Kinsella just hours after he was sworn into the position.

The players

Donald Kinsella

A veteran government attorney who was appointed and sworn in as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York, only to be fired by the White House the same day.

Morgan DeWitt Snow

The Deputy Director of Presidential Personnel who sent the email to Kinsella informing him that the president had directed his removal.

Todd Blanche

The Deputy Attorney General who posted on social media that "Judges don't pick U.S. Attorneys, @POTUS does."

John Sarcone III

A Trump loyalist who was previously removed from the U.S. Attorney post for the Northern District of New York after a federal judge ruled he was serving unlawfully.

Lindsey Halligan

A former insurance attorney with no prior prosecutorial experience who was appointed as the top prosecutor for the Eastern District of Virginia by the Trump administration, but was later ruled to be "masquerading" as U.S. Attorney.

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What they’re saying

“Judges don't pick U.S. Attorneys, @POTUS does. See Article II of our Constitution. You are fired, Donald Kinsella.”

— Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General (X)

What’s next

The district court for the Northern District of New York has defended Kinsella's appointment, citing the Constitution's provision that allows Congress to vest the appointment of officials like U.S. Attorneys in the courts. It remains to be seen how this dispute between the executive and judicial branches will be resolved.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing power struggle between the White House and the judiciary over the appointment of federal prosecutors. It raises questions about the president's authority to unilaterally remove U.S. Attorneys appointed through the courts' constitutional powers, and the limits of executive power in relation to the judicial branch.