The White House has fired US Attorney Donald Kinsella just hours after he was appointed to the Northern District of New York by federal judges. Kinsella, a 79-year-old veteran litigator, was chosen to replace John Sarcone III, who was found to be serving unlawfully.
Kinsella received an email from a White House official stating that he would be removed from his post, but its impact on the law remains unclear. He plans to discuss the matter with the district judges and determine his next steps.
The Trump administration had previously threatened to fire any prosecutor chosen by district judges. It’s unknown whether the Northern District judges will have recourse in this situation.
Kinsella has over 50 years of experience as a criminal and civil litigator, having previously served as the US attorney’s office for the Northern District. His hiring was first reported by The Times Union in Albany.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/11/nyregion/donald-kinsella-ndny-sarcone-trump.html