Manhattan Judges Appoint James McDonald U.S. Attorney After Jay Clayton Resigns 1 Day After DNI Confirmation
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jul 29
Manhattan Judges Appoint James McDonald U.S. Attorney After Jay Clayton Resigns 1 Day After DNI Confirmation
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 29
Summary
Federal judges in Manhattan on Wednesday installed James M. McDonald as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, with the appointment taking effect when Jay Clayton resigned.
The court said it acted to ensure continuity and avoid a vacancy atop one of the nation’s most prominent prosecutor’s offices.
McDonald, a former federal prosecutor and Sullivan & Cromwell partner, had already been chosen by President Trump and represented him in the appeal of his criminal conviction.
The move came at a sensitive moment for the office, which is handling high-profile cases including the prosecution of Nicolás Maduro after his January capture by U.S. forces.
The appointment appears smoother than other judge-selected U.S. attorneys under Trump, as the Justice Department has opposed uncoordinated court picks and some have later been fired.