White House Sends Termination Letters To Some Biden-Appointed US Attorneys
President Donald Trump’s administration issued termination notices to multiple U.S. Attorneys across the country who had been appointed by Democratic President Joe Biden. This move appeared to be an effort to remove officials who might not comply with directives from the new leadership.
An email from the White House’s deputy director for the office of presidential personnel informed recipients, “At the direction of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as U.S. Attorney is terminated, effective immediately.”
While it was not immediately clear if all affected individuals received the official termination notice, several U.S. Attorneys from Seattle to Maryland have stepped down from their roles.
Legal experts, including both current and former Justice Department attorneys, note that although it is standard practice for U.S. Attorneys to resign when a new president takes office, it is more typical for the administration to request their resignations rather than issuing abrupt termination letters.
By Wednesday, over two dozen U.S. Attorneys appointed by Biden were still in office. As of Thursday, reports indicated that at least three remained in their positions.
The White House did not provide a response regarding the matter, and multiple requests for comment from the U.S. Department of Justice went unanswered.
Among those dismissed was U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath of San Diego, a Biden appointee. Her office confirmed late Wednesday that she had received the termination notice from the White House, which also expressed gratitude for her service.
Another Biden-appointed official, U.S. Attorney Erek Barron of Maryland, sent an office-wide farewell email shortly after the notices were distributed, stating that his tenure “has come to an end.”
“It has been an honor to lead such a talented and dedicated team,” Barron wrote, according to an email copy reviewed by Reuters. He later confirmed his departure in a LinkedIn post on Thursday.
Ismail Ramsey, who served as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California, also “concluded his leadership” in the role, according to an emailed statement.
Additionally, U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman of Seattle resigned at the president’s request, according to a spokesperson from her office on Thursday. Gorman initially took on the role on an interim basis, first appointed by then-U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland and later confirmed by judges in the Western District of Washington.
Late Wednesday, Biden-appointed U.S. Attorney Dena King, who served as the top federal prosecutor for the Western District of North Carolina, also announced her resignation.