safety
US attorney who Trump fired minutes after he got the job sues to get it back
Summary by The Waco Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Holmes Lybrand , KXXV (ABC 25) News
· July 22, 2026
· 3 min read
A former US attorney in Washington state is suing the Trump administration for firing him less than one hour after a panel of federal judges unanimously voted to appoint him to the role. The lawsuit is the first of its kind as the administration continues a longstanding struggle to nominate and c...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Waco Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Holmes Lybrand, KXXV (ABC 25) News Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 22, 2026 Indexed here Jul 22, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway The President cannot grant himself the authority to make those interim appointments instead, nor can he rewrite (the law) to require presidential approval of the district courts choice, the lawsuit says.
Why this matters in The Waco
The controversy surrounding the Trump administration's handling of US attorney appointments has implications for the justice system in McLennan County, where federal cases are prosecuted. As the Trump administration exerts tight control over the federal justice system, local residents may wonder how these power struggles will affect the prosecution of federal crimes in Waco. The fact that district court judges can appoint temporary US attorneys, only to have them swiftly fired by the president, raises questions about the stability and independence of the justice system. In Waco, where public safety is a top concern, the ability of federal prosecutors to operate without undue influence is crucial. As this lawsuit unfolds, local observers will be watching to see how the outcome affects the balance of power between the executive branch and the judiciary, and what impact it may have on the prosecution of federal cases in the Waco area.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 22, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 3 min
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A former US attorney in Washington state is suing the Trump administration for firing him less than one hour after a panel of federal judges unanimously voted to appoint him to the role. The lawsuit is the first of its kind as the administration continues a longstanding struggle to nominate and c...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 22, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Holmes Lybrand at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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