A panel of federal judges on Monday rejected the permanent appointment of interim U.S. Attorney John Sarcone for the Northern District of New York.
This unusual decision raises questions about the next steps for Sarcone, whose interim tenure, granted by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, is set to expire on Tuesday.
During President Donald Trump’s administration, federal judges extended the terms for U.S. Attorneys in New York, but Sarcone’s situation appears to defy this trend.
In a stark contrast, just last month, Chief Judge Elizabeth Wolford appointed U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo permanently in the Western District of New York, indicating a varying approach across regions.
Sarcone made the unconventional decision to appeal directly to the judges in hopes of retaining his position but was ultimately unsuccessful.
The statement issued by the Board of Judges of the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York clarified their stance: “The Board of Judges declines to exercise the authority granted pursuant to U.S. Code to appoint a United States attorney for the Northern District of New York.”
Now, Sarcone’s future hangs in the balance, and any potential for a permanent appointment lies in the hands of President Trump and the Senate confirmation process.
Sarcone is not alone in facing resistance; he is among several interim U.S. attorneys appointed during the Trump administration who have encountered pushback.
For instance, Trump’s appointment of Joseph Nocella to the Eastern District of New York has also attracted controversy, with U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) stating he would obstruct Nocella’s nomination should the President seek to make it permanent.
Similarly, the appointment of Jay Clayton in the Southern District of New York has faced scrutiny, highlighting a potentially contentious environment around these interim positions.
The Trump administration has framed the role of U.S. Attorney as a means to advance politically charged objectives, amplifying the stakes for appointees like Sarcone.
In a significant incident, Danielle Sassoon, a conservative who served as the acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District, chose to resign rather than follow directives from the Department of Justice to drop corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
As the administration continues to nominate U.S. Attorneys for permanent roles across the nation, President Trump has begun to make notable appointments as seen with Alina Habba, a long-time Trump attorney, who was nominated for the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey after serving in an acting capacity since March.
Sarcone, who has a political background stemming from his work on Trump’s election law team in 2016 and his candidacy for New York state attorney general in 2022, expressed his desire to remain in the U.S. Attorney position.
He spoke to WNYT earlier this week, indicating optimism that his appointment would be extended, only to be met with the announcement of the judges’ decision.
His focus as U.S. Attorney has been on addressing street crime, alongside a personal experience of victimization that brought additional media attention.
In earlier interviews, Sarcone emphasized the need to collaborate with local law enforcement, citing a decline in community resources and the challenges posed by recent state laws in holding offenders accountable.
image source from：wxxinews
