Ousted Interim US Attorney Keeps Job in Wisconsin Under New Title

Attorney General Pam Bondi allows Brad Schimel to continue overseeing cases in Eastern District of Wisconsin

Mar. 19, 2026 at 4:18am

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U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has appointed Brad Schimel, the ousted interim federal prosecutor in Wisconsin's Eastern District, to the new role of first assistant U.S. attorney, allowing him to continue overseeing cases in the Milwaukee-based district under a different title. Schimel, a Republican, previously served as Wisconsin's attorney general before losing his bid for reelection in 2018.

Why it matters

This move by Bondi highlights the ongoing delays in the U.S. Senate's confirmation of President Trump's appointees to U.S. attorney positions across the country, with interim or acting prosecutors like Schimel currently leading most federal judicial districts as Democrats hold up the confirmation process.

The details

Schimel was appointed in November 2025 to a 120-day term as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, headquartered in Milwaukee. However, the district's federal judges decided not to extend his interim tenure, which was set to expire on March 19, 2026. Bondi then appointed Schimel to the new role of first assistant U.S. attorney, allowing him to continue overseeing operations in the Milwaukee office under that title.

  • Schimel was appointed interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin in November 2025.
  • Schimel's 120-day interim term was set to expire on March 19, 2026.
  • On March 10, 2026, the district's federal judges announced they would not extend Schimel's interim tenure.

The players

Pam Bondi

U.S. Attorney General.

Brad Schimel

A Republican who previously served as Wisconsin's attorney general before losing his bid for reelection in 2018. He was appointed as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin in November 2025 and has now been named first assistant U.S. attorney to continue overseeing the district.

Tammy Baldwin

A Democratic U.S. Senator from Wisconsin who opposed allowing Schimel to continue serving as interim U.S. attorney, calling him a partisan actor.

Ron Johnson

A Republican U.S. Senator from Wisconsin who urged Bondi to keep Schimel in charge of the Milwaukee office, calling the decision by Eastern District judges not to extend his tenure as interim U.S. attorney "bizarre."

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What they’re saying

“I am grateful for this opportunity to serve the people of the Eastern District of Wisconsin. I will continue to work tirelessly to make the entire district safer and stronger.”

— Brad Schimel

“Getting the right person who will uphold the rule of law rather than pledge loyalty to the President, is more important than ever.”

— Tammy Baldwin, U.S. Senator

“The decision by Eastern District judges not to extend Schimel's tenure as interim U.S. attorney is 'bizarre'.”

— Ron Johnson, U.S. Senator

What’s next

The U.S. Senate will need to confirm a permanent U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, as Democrats continue to hold up confirmation votes on President Trump's appointees across the country.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing political tensions and delays in the U.S. Senate confirmation process for U.S. attorney positions, with interim or acting prosecutors like Schimel currently leading most federal judicial districts as Democrats and Republicans clash over the appointments.