Vermont, Northern New York Lack Permanent U.S. Attorneys

White House fires interim U.S. attorney hours after federal judges appoint him, continuing turmoil in federal prosecutor roles

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The White House has fired a newly appointed interim U.S. attorney in New York's Northern District just hours after a panel of federal judges installed him in the position. This is the latest in ongoing tensions between the Trump administration, federal courts, and lawmakers over filling vacant U.S. attorney roles, with similar issues playing out in other states. Vermont's sole U.S. Attorney's Office also remains without a permanent appointment.

Why it matters

The lack of permanent U.S. attorneys in these regions raises concerns about the stability and continuity of federal prosecutions, as well as potential political interference in the appointment process. It also highlights the broader tensions between the executive and judicial branches over the selection of top law enforcement officials.

The details

Federal judges appointed attorney Donald T. Kinsella on Wednesday to temporarily fill the vacant U.S. attorney position in the Northern District of New York. Less than five hours later, Kinsella received an email from a White House official saying he'd been terminated. This follows the departure of the previous interim U.S. attorney, John Sarcone III, after a turbulent 11-month tenure marked by questions over the legality of his appointment. Vermont's U.S. Attorney's Office has also been without a permanent leader, with the most recent interim, Michael Drescher, leaving to pursue a state Supreme Court position.

  • On February 13, 2026, the White House fired Donald T. Kinsella just hours after he was appointed interim U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York by federal judges.
  • In July 2025, the 120-day window closed for John Sarcone III to serve as interim U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York without a presidential appointment.
  • In November 2025, the window closed for Michael Drescher to serve as interim U.S. attorney for Vermont's sole U.S. Attorney's Office without a presidential appointment.

The players

Donald T. Kinsella

A registered Republican and former prosecutor who was appointed by federal judges to temporarily fill the vacant U.S. attorney position in the Northern District of New York, only to be fired by the White House just hours later.

John Sarcone III

An attorney from Westchester who served as the interim U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York for 11 months, but whose appointment was questioned and ultimately ruled unlawful by a federal judge.

Michael Drescher

An assistant U.S. attorney who was elevated to lead the Vermont U.S. Attorney's Office in an interim capacity for about a year, but was never appointed by President Trump and left the role to pursue a position on the Vermont Supreme Court.

Pam Bondi

The U.S. Attorney General who selected John Sarcone III for the interim U.S. attorney role in the Northern District of New York.

Letitia James

The New York Attorney General who questioned the appointment process for John Sarcone III after he served her office with federal grand jury subpoenas.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

The ongoing turmoil over U.S. attorney appointments in Vermont and New York's Northern District highlights the broader political tensions and lack of coordination between the executive and judicial branches when it comes to filling these critical law enforcement roles. This could have significant implications for the stability and impartiality of federal prosecutions in these regions.