Judges in Virginia name new U.S. attorney, then Justice Dept. fires him

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Washington Post

February 20, 2026 at 7:18 p.m. EST


The federal judges in the Eastern District of Virginia unanimously appointed longtime litigator James W. Hundley to serve as interim U.S. attorney on Friday, and the Justice Department almost immediately fired him, continuing a clash over control of one of the country’s highest-profile prosecutor’s offices, which is particularly known for handling significant national security cases.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge M. Hannah Lauck issued an order announcing Hundley’s appointment Friday evening.

Not long after, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche posted a statement on X. “Here we go again,” Blanche wrote. “EDVA judges do not pick our US Attorney. POTUS does. James Hundley, you’re fired!”

Hundley would have succeeded Lindsey Halligan, a Trump administration lawyer who was named to lead the office last year with a mission to seek criminal charges against President Donald Trump’s perceived political adversaries. She left the post on Jan. 20, weeks after a federal judge ruled that her appointment had been improper. Before her departure, two federal judges issued orders threatening to impose sanctions on government lawyers who cited her as U.S. attorney in court filings.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2026/02/20/virginia-us-attorney-named/

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No paywall (gift)

Just breaking. Blanche needs to be sanctioned and disbarred. Like YEARS AGO.

[Goonch]

1. ;-{).....

[ChicagoTeamster]

2. And Halligan needs to keep getting sanctioned for every statement she makes and document she signs

That will set an example and maybe no unqualified attorneys will want to risk their savings and their careers to be on Trump's persecution team.

[BumRushDaShow]

4. I think Halligan was finally escorted off the premises

[ChicagoTeamster]

5. Then who's the US Attorney in charge? Did Trump appoint another realtor or used car lawyer?

[BumRushDaShow]

6. They use "Actings" from existhing staff

[bucolic_frolic]

3. That's gonna be a brouhaha

[NJCher]

7. anyone who is remotely qualified

will refuse to work for trump or "his" DOJ.

[Seeking Serenity]

8. What's the authority for members of the judicial branch to appoint members of the executive branch?

This seems like a huge separation of powers problem.

[BumRushDaShow]

9. "What's the authority for members of the judicial branch to appoint members of the executive branch?"

28 U.S. Code § 546 - Vacancies

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the Attorney General may appoint a United States attorney for the district in which the office of United States attorney is vacant.
(b) The Attorney General shall not appoint as United States attorney a person to whose appointment by the President to that office the Senate refused to give advice and consent.
(c) A person appointed as United States attorney under this section may serve until the earlier of—

(1) the qualification of a United States attorney for such district appointed by the President under section 541 of this title; or
(2) the expiration of 120 days after appointment by the Attorney General under this section.

(d) If an appointment expires under subsection (c)(2), the district court for such district may appoint a United States attorney to serve until the vacancy is filled. The order of appointment by the court shall be filed with the clerk of the court.

(snip)