Judge Stays Disqualification of Nevada Acting U.S. Attorney

Senior U.S. District Judge David G. Campbell has stayed his earlier order disqualifying Sigal Chattah as acting U.S. attorney for Nevada while the Department of Justice’s appeal to the Ninth Circuit proceeds. Campbell reiterated he still believes Chattah was not validly appointed and said prosecutors have not shown they are likely to succeed on the merits. The stay lets Chattah continue overseeing cases, including four criminal prosecutions brought by defendants whose public defenders argued her reclassification violated the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. The DOJ requested the pause and asked the Ninth Circuit for expedited briefing, warning that disqualification would significantly disrupt federal law enforcement. Chattah was first appointed interim U.S. attorney by President Trump in March, was later reclassified as acting without Senate confirmation, and has not been formally nominated for the permanent post.