Trump Fires Newly Appointed U.S. Attorney for Northern New York

Dispute erupts over who has authority to select U.S. Attorneys

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Trump administration attempted to install an ally with no prior prosecutorial experience as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York, but federal judges rejected the appointment. When the judges selected a veteran lawyer to lead the office, the White House promptly fired him, sparking a dispute over the president's authority to appoint U.S. Attorneys.

Why it matters

The clash highlights ongoing tensions between the executive and judicial branches over the appointment of U.S. Attorneys, with the Trump administration seeking to install political loyalists while the courts assert their role in the process. The outcome could set a precedent for how U.S. Attorneys are selected going forward.

The details

President Trump initially appointed John Sarcone III, an ally with no prior experience as a prosecutor, to lead the U.S. Attorney's office for the Northern District of New York. However, because Sarcone's appointment was as 'acting U.S. Attorney,' he was limited to 120 days in office. When the judges in the Northern District declined to extend Sarcone's term, the Trump administration attempted to keep him in the office by naming him '1st Assistant U.S. Attorney' and then 'special attorney.' A judge ruled this violated laws governing vacancies in U.S. Attorney offices, which assign judges the job of picking an acting U.S. Attorney. The judges then selected veteran lawyer Donald Kinsella to lead the office, but the White House promptly fired him, sparking a dispute over the president's authority to appoint U.S. Attorneys.

  • On February 12, 2026, President Trump appointed John Sarcone III as acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York.
  • After 120 days, the judges in the Northern District declined to extend Sarcone's term as acting U.S. Attorney.
  • The Trump administration then tried to keep Sarcone in the office by changing his title, but a judge ruled this was unlawful.
  • On February 11, 2026, the judges in the Northern District selected veteran lawyer Donald Kinsella to lead the U.S. Attorney's office.
  • On February 12, 2026, the White House fired Kinsella.

The players

John Sarcone III

An ally of President Trump with no prior experience as a prosecutor, who was initially appointed as acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York.

Donald Kinsella

A veteran lawyer with deep experience in prosecution, who was selected by the judges in the Northern District to lead the U.S. Attorney's office after Sarcone's appointment was rejected.

Todd Blanche

The deputy attorney general who informed Kinsella that he had been fired by the White House.

Charles Schumer

The U.S. Senator from New York who criticized the Trump administration's efforts to install a political loyalist as U.S. Attorney.

Northern District of New York

The federal judicial district that includes the cities of Albany, Syracuse, Watertown, and Plattsburgh, and which was responsible for selecting the U.S. Attorney to lead the district.

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What they’re saying

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

— Todd Blanche, Deputy Attorney General (X)

“Everyone knows Trump only cares about one quality in a U.S. Attorney: complete political subservience. The people of upstate New York deserve a qualified, independent prosecutor, not another political loyalist.”

— Charles Schumer, U.S. Senator (Statement)

What’s next

The dispute over the appointment of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York is likely to continue, with the courts and the White House asserting their respective authorities. The outcome could set a precedent for how U.S. Attorneys are selected in the future.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between the executive and judicial branches over the appointment of U.S. Attorneys, with the Trump administration seeking to install political loyalists while the courts assert their role in the process. The dispute underscores the importance of an independent and qualified U.S. Attorney's office, which is crucial for upholding the rule of law and ensuring fair and impartial prosecutions.