Just hours after judges in Virginia appointed James Hundley as the new interim U.S. attorney, the administration announced he was fired. This latest shake-up follows the departure of Lindsey Halligan, a Trump loyalist, who left the office last month amidst controversy.
Hundley, a seasoned defense attorney with over 30 years of experience, was chosen unanimously by the judges to lead this important office. However, shortly after his appointment, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche took to social media to declare Hundley’s firing, stating, “Here we go again. EDVA judges do not pick our U.S. Attorney. POTUS does.” He ended his tweet with, “James Hundley, you’re fired!”
Responses were swift. Dan Scavino, who served as a White House deputy chief of staff, coyly replied to Blanche’s post, telling Hundley to “Check your email.”
Hundley hasn’t commented publicly yet, and CNN has reached out to the Justice Department for a statement.
This drama unfolds after Halligan’s tumultuous stint as interim U.S. attorney. She was unable to secure a conviction against high-profile targets, including former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James. A federal court dismissed those cases late last year, ruling that Halligan’s role was invalid due to her lack of prosecutorial experience.
This event highlights ongoing tensions in U.S. attorney appointments and the influence of the executive branch. Historical shifts show that the appointment process has often been contentious. For instance, under former Presidents Obama and Bush, similar conflicts arose over political loyalties influencing judicial decisions.
According to a recent survey by the American Bar Association, nearly 70% of attorneys believe that political considerations hinder the true function of the judiciary. The debate over judicial independence versus executive influence continues to be a hot topic on social media, with hashtags like #JusticeForAll trending as people weigh in on the implications of these appointments.
In an era of increasing polarization, the path ahead for U.S. attorneys may remain rocky, with continued scrutiny from both the public and legal communities.
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