In an unusual move reflecting the shifting landscape at the Justice Department, a panel of federal judges in Chicago has endorsed the appointment of Andrew Boutros as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, a position he assumed under the Trump administration.
Boutros, who is 47 years old and previously served as a federal prosecutor, was designated to the post following a selection process led by Republican U.S. Rep. Darin LaHood. His term began as an interim U.S. attorney on April 7, and that initial term was scheduled to last 120 days, concluding on August 5.
However, on Thursday, U.S. District Chief Judge Virginia Kendall formalized the decision to extend Boutros’ appointment indefinitely after the full court convened for an executive session earlier in the week.
His path to becoming U.S. attorney marks a departure from the traditional nomination and Senate confirmation process, placing him among a growing list of Trump-era interim appointees who have undergone a court-approval mechanism instead.
While many of these appointments have stirred controversy, notably that of Alina Habba in New Jersey who faced judicial disapproval, Boutros’ well-established reputation within the Chicago legal community may have contributed to the judges’ decision.
No specific duration for Boutros’ term was outlined in the order, suggesting a potentially open-ended tenure.
Following the court’s decision, Boutros expressed heartfelt gratitude, referring to the endorsement as “the honor of a lifetime.”
“I am deeply grateful that two branches of our government have agreed upon my appointment,” he stated in his remarks.
He specifically thanked Chief Judge Kendall and the judges of the Northern District for their vote of confidence.
As the 42nd U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Boutros leads an office comprised of approximately 130 criminal and civil attorneys, alongside numerous support staff, all of whom work in what is recognized as one of the busiest U.S. attorney’s offices in the nation.
A first-generation American, Boutros was born to parents who emigrated from Egypt. He completed his undergraduate studies at Virginia Tech University before earning his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 2001.
His extensive background includes eight years as a federal prosecutor under the leadership of then-U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, where he handled numerous high-profile cases related to international trade and dark web narcotics conspiracies.
Most recently, Boutros held the position of co-chair of the government investigations and white-collar group at Shook Hardy & Bacon LLP in Chicago.
Upon assuming his new role, he acknowledged the pressures associated with being U.S. attorney, stating, “I didn’t take this job because I thought it would be easy. I took this job knowing full well that there are tremendous pressures and expectations put on being U.S. attorney.
He further affirmed his belief in his capability to meet the job’s demands, expressing his commitment to work tirelessly to fulfill the responsibilities of the position to the best of his ability.
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