Judge disqualifies NY U.S. Attorney, quashes subpoenas against Letitia James

A federal judge on Thursday disqualified the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York and blocked the subpoenas his office issued against New York Attorney General Letitia James.

John Sarcone III, the judge ruled, was illegally serving in the post, Politico reported. The decision from the Obama-appointed U.S. District Judge Lorna Schofield marked the latest such opinion over controversial Trump appointees to U.S. Attorney positions.

“When the Executive branch of government skirts restraints put in place by Congress and then uses that power to subject political adversaries to criminal investigations... it acts without lawful authority," Schofield wrote.

Sarcone had pursued subpoenas against James, who famously brought a civil fraud case against President Donald Trump during the 2024 election cycle.

Other Trump-appointed U.S. attorneys have faced legal disqualification, including Alina Habba and Lindsey Halligan.

Ben Whedon is the Chief Political Correspondent at Just the News. Follow him on X.