The Justice Department has fired veteran attorney James W Hundley, hours after a panel of federal judges unanimously appointed him interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, marking the latest clash between the department and the Trump administration over prosecutor appointments. Shortly after Chief U.S. District Judge M. Hundley was sworn in, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Hundley’s firing. Hannah Lauck of Richmond claimed on social media that the power to appoint U.S. attorneys belongs to the president, not federal judges.Hundley, who was selected to temporarily fill the vacancy following the departure of Trump ally Lindsey Halligan, said he was honored to be appointed by the court and added that he would continue to support the justice system despite his removal. The sudden firing underscores growing tensions over the appointment of interim U.S. attorneys, especially after several federal courts ruled that Trump administration appointees served illegally. Federal law allows judges to appoint interim prosecutors if a presidential nominee is not confirmed by the Senate within 120 days, but the Justice Department maintains that the president and attorney general have ultimate control over such appointments.The Eastern District of Virginia’s position has been at the center of controversy amid politically sensitive investigations involving New York Attorney General Letitia James and former FBI Director James Comey, both critics of President Donald Trump. Former prosecutors who oversaw the office have either resigned under pressure or been removed amid disputes over charging decisions and the legality of their appointments.The judge’s appointment of Hundley is seen as an attempt to restore continuity to one of the nation’s most powerful federal prosecutors’ offices, often referred to as “rocket cases” for its fast-moving cases.
Who is James W. Hendry?
James W Hundley is a veteran criminal defense and civil litigation attorney with more than thirty years of experience practicing in Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Maryland.He has handled a variety of high-stakes criminal cases involving charges of bank fraud, bribery, embezzlement, tax evasion and computer fraud, as well as representing clients in civil disputes involving contracts, civil rights and trade secrets.Hundley has extensive appellate experience and argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2000 in the landmark Dickson v. United States case, in which the Court reaffirmed that Miranda warnings are constitutionally required.A graduate of Georgetown University Law Center, Hundley began his career clerking for a federal judge and later served as a Fairfax County assistant U.S. attorney. In 1997, he co-founded the Virginia-based law firm of Briglia Hundley.He is ranked among the top criminal defense attorneys by professional rating organizations and has held numerous leadership positions within the Virginia State Bar, including serving on its Governing Council and Disciplinary Committee.Known for his expertise in complex criminal defense and appellate litigation, Hendry also teaches at leading law schools and legal education programs.His brief and tumultuous appointment as interim U.S. attorney made him one of a growing list of prosecutors whose roles have been caught in the crossfire of political and legal battles over federal prosecutorial power.
