A federal judge has disqualified Sigal Chattah, Nevada’s acting U.S. Attorney, from several cases. This decision came after Judge David G. Campbell determined that Chattah has held the temporary role longer than the law permits.
Chattah’s authority was argued to have expired in July. The judge instructed government attorneys involved in the cases to confirm within a week that she is no longer overseeing their work. However, he did not dismiss the indictments related to those cases.
This ruling adds to recent challenges facing the Trump administration’s attempt to extend the term of acting U.S. attorneys beyond the legal 120-day limit. Similar findings were made in August against New Jersey’s acting U.S. Attorney, Alina Habba.
Under federal law, if a full-time U.S. attorney isn’t nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate within 120 days, federal judges can appoint an interim attorney. Judge Campbell criticized the Trump administration’s strategy of leveraging temporary appointments to bypass traditional Senate confirmations, which typically require bipartisan backing. He cited the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, designed to clarify how executive vacancies should be filled.
Chattah, a conservative lawyer, has faced opposition from Nevada’s Democratic Senators, Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen. They expressed strong intentions to block her potential permanent appointment, labeling her as an election denier and claiming she has supported political violence.
Her previous legal work has included representing Nevada churches against state COVID-19 restrictions, arguing these measures unfairly discriminated against religious organizations. She also ran for state attorney general in 2022 but lost to Democrat Aaron Ford.
Chattah’s role has raised alarms about the Department of Justice being used politically. Concerns have emerged that Trump loyalists are influencing investigations and prosecutions aimed at those viewed as political adversaries. For instance, former FBI Director James Comey was charged with lying to Congress shortly after Trump indicated a desire to press charges against him.
These developments highlight a growing tension within the justice system, with data from recent surveys indicating that public trust in political institutions is waning. According to a 2022 Gallup poll, only 36% of Americans trust the judicial system, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
In an era where political divisions are stark, the ongoing dialogue around the appointment of U.S. attorneys carries significant implications for public faith in governance and the rule of law. For more on the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, you can read here.
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Donald Trump, Pam Bondi, General news, Letitia James, Jacky Rosen, Sigal Chattah, James Comey, David G. Campbell, Nevada, Courts, AP Top News, NV State Wire, U.S. news, U.S. Department of Justice, United States Senate, Indictments, Legal proceedings, Government and politics, Alina Habba, United States government, Aaron Ford, Politics
