A federal appeals court has temporarily blocked President Trump’s attempt to remove Roger Rogoff, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington, in a decisive ruling that preserves Rogoff’s position pending final legal resolution.

The conflict began when federal judges in Washington, D.C., unanimously appointed Rogoff as U.S. Attorney in July 2026 after President Trump failed to nominate a Senate-confirmed replacement. Less than an hour later, the president fired Rogoff. The move sparked immediate legal challenges, culminating in a Thursday ruling by U.S. District Judge Stanley Bastian that declared the termination unlawful and ordered Rogoff’s reinstatement.

Bastian emphasized that federal law permits district court judges to fill vacancies “until the vacancy is filled,” explicitly noting that the law does not authorize removal by the president once an appointee takes office. “Mr. Roger Rogoff is the United States attorney for the Western District of Washington and has been the rightful holder of that office since July 15, 2026,” Bastian stated.

On Sunday, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals granted an emergency stay to preserve the temporary status quo, preventing Rogoff from resuming his duties until a final decision is reached. The ruling, which was not signed by any judges on the court, specifically cites its purpose as maintaining the current legal position during ongoing appeals proceedings.

This development marks the first time a court-appointed U.S. Attorney has challenged President Trump’s authority to dismiss such officials. Rogoff’s case highlights escalating tensions between the federal judiciary and the administration over the interpretation of judicial appointments law, with Trump having previously fired multiple court-nominated prosecutors during his second term.