Monty Wilkinson

On February 9, 2021 Acting Attorney General Monty Wilkinson announced that continuing the practice of new administrations, President Biden and the Department of Justice have begun the transition process for the U.S. Attorneys.

“We are committed to ensuring a seamless transition. Until U.S. Attorney nominees are confirmed, the interim and acting leaders in the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices will make sure that the department continues to accomplish its critical law enforcement mission, vigorously defend the rule of law and pursue the fair and impartial administration of justice for all,” said Wilkinson.

According to the Office of Public Affairs, earlier this year, nearly all presidential appointees from the previous administration offered their resignations, though U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshals were asked to temporarily remain in place. Prior to the beginning of this U.S. Attorney transition process, approximately one-third of the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices were already led by acting or interim leadership.

The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times reported that Wilkinson plans to ask the remaining holdover U.S. Attorneys appointed by President Trump to resign. Exempt from the decision, however, are two top prosecutors overseeing politically sensitive inquiries, including U.S. Attorney David Weiss, whose office is conducting a criminal tax investigation into Hunter Biden. John Durham is expected to remain as a special counsel overseeing a wide-ranging inquiry into the origins of the FBI’s 2016 Russia investigation, He was appointed to that position by former Attorney General William Barr in December, 2020. Durham is expected to step down as the U.S. Attorney for Connecticut.

NAFUSA has welcomed 17 new members from the Trump Administration, including three life members. More are expected as the transition continues.