Federal Judges Decline to Extend Appointment for Interim US Attorney in Milwaukee

The Eastern District's judges said they will wait for a permanent appointee to be nominated and confirmed.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Federal judges in Milwaukee announced on Tuesday that they have decided not to extend interim U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel's appointment beyond next week. Schimel, a Republican, was appointed by Attorney General Pam Bondi in November to a 120-day term as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. The judges said a majority of them have declined to extend Schimel's term and will wait for President Donald Trump and the U.S. Senate to nominate and confirm a full-time U.S. attorney.

Why it matters

The decision not to extend Schimel's appointment as interim U.S. attorney highlights the ongoing political tensions and partisan dynamics surrounding federal prosecutor positions. Schimel, a former Republican state attorney general, has been viewed as a partisan actor by some, including Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, who opposed allowing him to continue serving in the role.

The details

Under federal law, a federal district's judges can extend an interim U.S. attorney's appointment until a permanent appointee takes the position. However, the Eastern District's judges said they have declined to extend Schimel's term, citing the need to wait for President Trump and the Senate to nominate and confirm a full-time U.S. attorney. Schimel, who previously served as Waukesha County district attorney and Wisconsin attorney general, has been a controversial figure, having lost a bid for the state Supreme Court last year despite Trump's endorsement.

  • Schimel's 120-day term as interim U.S. attorney is set to expire on March 17, 2026.
  • The Eastern District's judges announced their decision not to extend Schimel's appointment on March 10, 2026.

The players

Brad Schimel

A Republican who served as the Waukesha County district attorney and Wisconsin attorney general before being appointed as the interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin in November 2025.

Pam Bondi

The Attorney General who appointed Schimel as the interim U.S. attorney in November 2025.

Tammy Baldwin

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

Donald Trump

The President who will need to nominate a permanent U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

Hannah Dugan

A Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge who was charged with helping an immigrant evade federal immigration officers, a case that Schimel's office prosecuted.

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What they’re saying

“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 (ksgf.com)

What’s next

President Trump and the U.S. Senate will need to nominate and confirm a permanent U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin to replace the outgoing interim U.S. attorney, Brad Schimel.

The takeaway

The decision by the Eastern District's judges not to extend Schimel's appointment as interim U.S. attorney highlights the ongoing political tensions and partisan dynamics surrounding federal prosecutor positions, with some viewing Schimel as a partisan actor. This underscores the importance of having a U.S. attorney who is seen as upholding the rule of law rather than pledging loyalty to the President.