President Donald Trump has once again selected a lawyer with close personal and political ties to him for a major federal law enforcement position, announcing the nomination of attorney James M. McDonald to lead the powerful Southern District of New York (SDNY) as U.S. Attorney.
The announcement was made Friday as the administration continues reshaping senior Justice Department leadership during President Trump’s second term. The SDNY office, based in Manhattan, is regarded as one of the most influential federal prosecutor’s offices in the United States because of its oversight of Wall Street financial crimes, terrorism investigations, public corruption cases, and international fraud prosecutions. (The Wall Street Journal)
Trump’s Choice for Manhattan Prosecutor
James McDonald currently serves as a partner at the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell and has been part of President Trump’s personal legal team in recent legal proceedings, including appeals related to the New York hush-money conviction case. (AP News)
Before entering private practice, McDonald worked as a federal prosecutor in Manhattan and later served as Director of Enforcement at the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission during President Trump’s first administration. He also held positions in the White House Counsel’s Office under President George W. Bush and clerked for Chief Justice John Roberts of the U.S. Supreme Court. (The Wall Street Journal)
President Trump praised McDonald in his announcement, describing him as a respected attorney with extensive prosecutorial and regulatory experience. Senate confirmation will be required before McDonald can permanently assume the role. (The Wall Street Journal)
A Pattern of Loyalist Appointments
The nomination adds to a growing list of President Trump allies and former personal attorneys being elevated to top government legal positions.
Earlier this month, President Trump formally nominated former personal attorney Todd Blanche to serve permanently as Attorney General after Blanche had already been acting in the position since April. (Reuters)
Legal analysts and critics have raised concerns about the increasing overlap between President Trump’s personal legal defense network and senior Justice Department appointments. Supporters of the administration argue that the president is selecting experienced lawyers he trusts to implement his policies and reform federal law enforcement agencies.
The SDNY office has historically maintained a reputation for independence and has handled investigations involving both political parties, major corporations, and high-profile public figures. Past leaders of the office have included prosecutors such as Geoffrey Berman and Audrey Strauss. (Wikipedia)
Leadership Changes Inside the Justice Department
McDonald is expected to replace Jay Clayton, another Trump ally who was recently nominated to become Director of National Intelligence. Clayton previously served as chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission during President Trump’s first administration. (New York Post)
The reshuffling comes amid broader tensions between the White House, federal courts, and the Justice Department over interim U.S. attorney appointments and prosecutorial independence. Several recent federal prosecutor appointments across the country have drawn legal and political scrutiny. (The Washington Post)
As U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, McDonald would oversee investigations involving securities fraud, organized crime, international sanctions violations, cybercrime, and major public corruption cases centered in New York City and beyond.
No timetable has yet been officially announced for Senate confirmation hearings.
Sources
- Associated Press
- Reuters
- The Wall Street Journal
- New York Post
- The Guardian
Editor: Sudhir Choudhary
Date: June 14, 2026
Tags: Donald Trump, U.S. Attorney, Manhattan, Southern District of New York, James McDonald, DOJ, White House, Federal Prosecutor, SDNY, U.S. Politics
News by The Vagabond News.
