"Another federal judge heard arguments Thursday about the legitimacy of a top Trump administration prosecutor as New York Attorney General Letitia James challenged the authority of the acting U.S. attorney probing two of her high-profile cases. The court hearing focusing on the role of John Sarcone, who is acting as U.S. attorney for northern New York, comes as President Donald Trump's effort to install political loyalists as federal prosecutors has run into a legal buzz saw."
"Her attorney Hailyn Chen argued in court that since Sarcone lacks legitimate authority to act as U.S. attorney, legal steps taken by him in that capacity - like the subpoenas - are unlawful. In response to a question from U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield, Chen said Sarcone should be disqualified from the investigation and the office. "Sarcone exercised power that he did not lawfully possess," Chen told the judge."
Federal court heard arguments over the authority of John Sarcone, acting U.S. attorney for northern New York, who is overseeing a Justice Department probe into regulatory lawsuits filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James against Donald Trump and the National Rifle Association. James' lawyers seek to block subpoenas issued in the probe, arguing Sarcone lacks lawful authority and should be disqualified, making the subpoenas unlawful. Justice Department lawyers contend Sarcone was properly appointed and that disqualification would be drastic. U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield questioned both sides and has not yet ruled. The dispute follows recent rulings finding other Trump-appointed U.S. attorneys served unlawfully.
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