In brief
U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell has disqualified Sigal Chattah from overseeing multiple criminal cases in Nevada, declaring her appointment invalid as it exceeded the legally permitted time without Senate confirmation. This ruling follows similar decisions affecting other Trump-appointed attorneys, spotlighting ongoing legal disputes over the limits of acting federal positions.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Nevada federal judge has ruled that the Trump-appointed U.S. attorney, Sigal Chattah, is not validly serving in her position, disqualifying her from overseeing several criminal cases. The ruling by U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell comes as defense lawyers argued that Chattah's authority expired in July, rendering her appointment unlawful.
The judge has mandated government lawyers involved in the cases to clarify within a week that Chattah is not directing their work, although he did not dismiss any of the related indictments. This ruling follows a broader pattern of judicial pushback against attempts to extend the terms of Trump-appointed acting U.S. attorneys beyond the limit set by federal law, which requires a Senate-confirmed permanent appointment within 120 days.
Campbell's decision mirrors a previous ruling delivered in New Jersey regarding Alina Habba, another Trump-appointed acting attorney, indicating a consistent judicial stance against what could be seen as improper legal maneuvers by the administration to circumvent usual confirmation processes.
Chattah, known as a conservative lawyer, faced political resistance primarily from Nevada Democratic Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, which likely influenced the court’s decision.
