Overview

• On July 14 a federal judges’ panel declined to make John Sarcone the permanent U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York without offering a public rationale.
• Two days later the DOJ’s human resources division appointed Sarcone as “special attorney to the attorney general,” allowing him to lead the office indefinitely under 28 U.S.C. § 515.
• Legal scholars note that Section 515 has historically been used for specific-case prosecutors and argue that installing an office’s top leader falls outside its intended scope.
• Sarcone’s credibility has faced scrutiny after surveillance footage contradicted his account of a knife chase and his purported Albany residence was found to be a vacant building.
• Observers say the move reflects a broader presidential strategy of relying on interim titles to sidestep Senate confirmation and judicial oversight.