A panel of judges from an appeals court issued a stay on Sunday, effectively halting a lower court’s mandate that the Trump administration immediately reinstate Roger Rogoff to his former role as the top federal prosecutor in Seattle. Rogoff had been serving as the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington until his sudden removal by President Trump in July.

The administration’s decision to oust Rogoff occurred less than an hour after he had been sworn into the office. Following his termination, legal proceedings were initiated to challenge the administration's authority to remove him under the specific circumstances of his appointment and subsequent firing. The lower court judge initially ruled in favor of Rogoff, ordering his immediate return to the post. However, the appeals court's intervention prevents that order from taking effect while the legal dispute continues.

While the lower court viewed the reinstatement as a necessary remedy, the appeals court has now intervened to pause that process. The legal battle centers on the extent of executive power regarding the appointment and removal of federal prosecutors. As of now, the stay remains in place, and the case is expected to undergo further review by the appellate panel to determine if the administration’s actions were legally permissible.