Trump DOJ Lists Ex-Delaware GOP Chair as Acting US Attorney

The Trump Justice Department has listed its pick for top prosecutor in Delaware as the acting US attorney, a sign it has effectively renewed her term after the federal court declined to select a replacement.

The Justice Department’s webpage of US attorneys, which was last updated Nov. 10, describes former Delaware GOP party chair Julianne Murray as the district’s acting US attorney, after she previously served as its interim leader. Murray’s 120-day tenure as interim US attorney expired Tuesday.

Murray’s apparent designation is part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to stretch the bounds of federal vacancy laws to install its preferred lawyers at the helm of the nation’s US attorney’s offices in various temporary capacities.

The federal district court has authority under federal law to choose the next US attorney once an interim leader’s tenure expires, if the Senate hasn’t confirmed a replacement. Judges usually agree to retain the administration’s interim selection in these circumstances.

However, federal courts have in some cases recently declined to endorse the administration’s pick. Chief Judge Colm Connolly of the US District Court for the District of Delaware signed a notice posted last week that the court “declines to exercise its authority” to appoint a US attorney for the district.

Justice Department spokespeople didn’t return requests for comment.

Interim leaders may serve for 120 days, while acting leaders may generally serve for 210 days from when the vacancy opened. Acting terms may be extended under certain circumstances throughout the congressional nomination process.

It’s a move the administration has used in particular for US attorneys in states with two Democratic senators, who have veto power over US attorney nominees under Senate custom.

The administration has also given successive temporary titles to other chief prosecutors and drawn legal challenges across the US, including in New Jersey, California, New Mexico and Nevada.

The US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia is scheduled to hear arguments Thursday on claims that the district’s interim US attorney Lindsey Halligan, who led criminal charges against two of President Donald Trump’s opponents, was invalidly appointed.

Connolly, a Trump appointee, previously indicated the Delaware federal court would select its own candidate for US attorney once Murray’s interim term ran out, after the court posted an order he signed inviting candidates to apply for the role.

The recruitment effort drew backlash from Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.