The US Department of Justice has fired veteran lawyer James W Hundley just hours after a panel of federal judges unanimously appointed him as interim US Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, marking the latest clash between the judiciary and the Trump administration over prosecutorial appointments.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced the dismissal shortly after Hundley was sworn in by Chief US District Judge M. Hannah Lauck in Richmond, declaring on social media that the authority to appoint US attorneys rests with the president, not federal judges.
Hundley, who had been chosen to temporarily fill the vacancy after the departure of Trump ally Lindsey Halligan, said it was an honour to be appointed by the court and added that he would continue supporting the justice system despite his removal.
The abrupt firing highlights growing tensions over the appointment of interim US attorneys, particularly after several federal courts ruled that Trump administration appointees had been serving unlawfully.
Federal law allows judges to appoint interim prosecutors if a presidential nominee is not confirmed by the Senate within 120 days, but the Justice Department maintains that the president and attorney general ultimately control such appointments.
The Eastern District of Virginia position has been at the centre of controversy due to politically sensitive investigations involving New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI director James Comey, both critics of President Donald Trump.
Previous prosecutors overseeing the office either resigned under pressure or were removed following disputes over charging decisions and the legality of their appointments.
Hundley’s appointment by judges was seen as an attempt to restore continuity in one of the country’s most influential federal prosecutor offices, often referred to as the “rocket docket” for its fast-moving cases.
Who is James W Hundley?
James W Hundley is a veteran criminal defence and civil litigation attorney with more than three decades of experience practicing in Virginia, Washington, DC, and Maryland.
He has handled a wide range of high-stakes criminal cases involving allegations such as bank fraud, bribery, embezzlement, tax evasion, and computer fraud, while also representing clients in civil disputes involving contracts, civil rights, and trade secrets.
Hundley has significant appellate experience and argued the landmark Dickerson v. United States case before the US Supreme Court in 2000, in which the court reaffirmed that Miranda warnings are constitutionally required.
A graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, Hundley began his career clerking for a federal judge before serving as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Fairfax County. In 1997, he co-founded the Virginia-based law firm Briglia Hundley.
He has been recognised among top criminal defence lawyers by professional rating organisations and has held several leadership roles within the Virginia State Bar, including serving on its governing council and disciplinary committees.
Known for his expertise in complex criminal defence and appellate litigation, Hundley has also lectured at leading law schools and legal education programmes.
His brief and turbulent appointment as interim US Attorney adds him to a growing list of prosecutors whose roles have been caught in the crossfire of political and legal battles over federal prosecutorial authority.
