Veteran prosecutor Donald T. Kinsella, 79, was sworn in as U.S. Attorney for New York’s Northern District by federal judges on February 11, 2026, to replace a Trump interim appointee ruled unlawful, but received a White House termination email hours later. Deputy AG Todd Blanche announced the firing on social media, stating “Judges don’t pick U.S. Attorneys, @POTUS does. See Article II,” amid tensions over presidential appointment powers. Kinsella, a former chief of the district’s criminal division with over 50 years experience, plans to consult judges on next steps as Democrats like Sen. Schumer decry political interference.
