Restoring Executive Power To Appoint United States Attorneys Act of 2025
Summary
The "Restoring Executive Power To Appoint United States Attorneys Act of 2025" aims to amend Title 28 of the United States Code, specifically Section 546, to restore the President's authority in appointing United States Attorneys. This bill seeks to eliminate subsections (c) and (d) of Section 546, which likely pertain to procedures for appointing interim or temporary U.S. Attorneys. The intended effect is to ensure that the President's appointed U.S. Attorneys hold their positions until a successor is appointed by the President.
Expected Effects
The primary effect of this bill would be to centralize the appointment power of U.S. Attorneys within the executive branch, specifically with the President. This could lead to quicker appointments aligned with the President's agenda. It would remove any existing checks or balances in the interim appointment process.
Potential Benefits
- Streamlines the appointment process for U.S. Attorneys.
- Reinforces the President's authority over law enforcement priorities.
- Potentially enhances accountability by directly linking U.S. Attorneys to the President's administration.
- Could lead to more consistent application of federal law across districts, reflecting the President's policy goals.
- May reduce periods of uncertainty or vacancies in U.S. Attorney positions.
Potential Disadvantages
- Could politicize the role of U.S. Attorneys, potentially undermining their independence.
- May reduce the influence of local communities and courts in selecting U.S. Attorneys.
- Could lead to abrupt changes in law enforcement priorities with each new administration.
- Potentially weakens the checks and balances system by concentrating power in the executive branch.
- May increase the risk of politically motivated prosecutions or investigations.
Most Disadvantaged Areas:
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment hinges on the Appointments Clause (Article II, Section 2, Clause 2), which grants the President the power to appoint officers of the United States, including U.S. Attorneys, with the advice and consent of the Senate. This bill appears to reinforce this power by removing potential limitations on the President's appointment authority. However, concerns may arise if the changes undermine the Senate's role in advising and consenting to these appointments, or if it infringes upon the judiciary's inherent powers.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).