Justice Department Moves to Fire Newly Appointed U.S. Attorney in Northern District of New York

The U.S. Department of Justice on Wednesday moved to terminate Donald Kinsella as the newly appointed U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York, just hours after federal judges announced his selection. The district’s Board of Judges had appointed Kinsella to replace John Sarcone, who had been serving in an acting capacity but was disqualified by a federal court. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche publicly criticized the judges’ move, stating on social media that U.S. attorneys are appointed by the president, not the courts.

Kinsella, a veteran legal professional with decades of experience in criminal and civil litigation, previously served as an assistant U.S. attorney and as criminal chief at the Justice Department. His appointment followed a ruling last month in which a federal judge determined that Sarcone was unlawfully serving as the top federal prosecutor in Albany. The court also barred Sarcone from participating in an investigation involving New York State Attorney General Letitia James.

The Justice Department had earlier attempted to retain Sarcone through a series of procedural steps after a federal court declined to extend his 120-day interim appointment. Those efforts were ultimately deemed unlawful, echoing similar rulings in California, Nevada, and New Jersey. The dispute unfolds amid broader criticism of the Trump administration, with legal and political experts alleging that certain investigations — including those involving James — are politically motivated.

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