A federal judge has dismissed subpoenas connected to investigations involving President Donald Trump, delivering a procedural victory to New York Attorney General Letitia James and raising new questions about how federal prosecutors are appointed.
In a decision spanning 24 pages released Thursday, U.S. District Judge Lorna Schofield concluded that John Sarcone was not legally authorized to serve as acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York at the time he issued subpoenas to the attorney general’s office.
Because of that defect, the court ruled the subpoenas could not be enforced.
Judge cites limits on executive authority
Judge Schofield, who was appointed to the bench during the Obama administration, wrote that federal law places clear limits on how acting prosecutors may be installed. When those limits are bypassed, she warned, the government risks operating outside its lawful authority.
The decision did not weigh in on the substance of the investigations themselves, focusing instead on whether Sarcone had the legal authority to issue subpoenas in the first place.
Background on the dispute
James challenged Sarcone’s role after his office requested records related to several high-profile cases she pursued, including civil actions involving Trump and separate litigation connected to the National Rifle Association and former NRA leaders.
Her office argued the subpoenas were improperly issued and reflected political retaliation tied to her past investigations.
A spokesperson for James welcomed the ruling, calling it a reaffirmation of the rule of law and saying the attorney general’s office would continue defending its legal actions.
Justice Department disagrees
The U.S. Department of Justice maintains that Sarcone’s appointment was lawful. He had originally been named interim U.S. attorney for a 120-day term by Attorney General Pam Bondi.
After that term expired, a federal court declined to extend his appointment. According to the ruling, the Justice Department then attempted to keep Sarcone in place through internal title changes — a move the judge said federal law does not permit.
Broader implications nationwide
The decision comes amid a series of similar rulings across the country. Federal judges have recently disqualified prosecutors in multiple jurisdictions, including Nevada, California, and Virginia, over appointment issues.
In Virginia, the removal of former U.S. attorney Lindsey Halligan resulted in dismissed indictments involving James and former FBI Director James Comey.
Earlier this week, a federal judge directed Halligan to clarify why she still refers to herself as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, even though an earlier court decision ruled her appointment invalid.
What happens next
While the ruling represents a clear procedural win for Letitia James, it does not resolve the broader political and legal tensions surrounding federal prosecutions and executive authority.
For now, the decision highlights how disputes over appointments — rather than underlying allegations — are increasingly shaping major legal battles involving national political figures.