WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump announced on Saturday that he plans to appoint one of his personal attorneys as the chief federal prosecutor in Manhattan. This move is set to fill an upcoming vacancy as the current officeholder has been nominated by Trump to become the director of national intelligence.
James M. McDonald, who has been chosen for this role, is a former federal prosecutor in the office he will be overseeing. He previously worked as a financial regulator during Trump’s first term and held a position in President George W. Bush’s White House counsel’s office.
McDonald, a partner at Sullivan & Cromwell law firm, is involved in managing Trump’s appeal against felony convictions in New York. These convictions are related to payments made to adult film actor Stormy Daniels during his presidential campaign in 2016.
Trump stated that McDonald would be appointed as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, a highly influential role within the Justice Department. McDonald is set to succeed Jay Clayton, who has been nominated by Trump for the director of national intelligence position.
As U.S. Attorney, McDonald would oversee one of the most prestigious prosecutorial offices in the Justice Department, which handles a wide array of cases, including those related to terrorism, espionage, securities fraud, and public corruption.
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McDonald also played a role in securing a positive result for Indian billionaire Gautam Adani after the Trump administration Justice Department dropped a fraud and conspiracy case that had been initiated under the Biden administration.
McDonald has previously served as the director of enforcement at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission during Trump’s first term and held the position of deputy associate counsel in President George W. Bush’s White House.
Expressing confidence in McDonald, Trump posted on the Truth Social platform, “I am confident that Jamie will deliver strong results for our Country.”
Nicholas Biase, a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s office in Manhattan, expressed support for McDonald’s appointment, stating that the office “welcomes the President’s choice to lead the SDNY. Mr. McDonald is widely respected.”
Trump’s nomination of Clayton comes amid increasing pressure from Congress to appoint a permanent successor for Tulsi Gabbard, who recently stepped down as national intelligence director. Trump faced significant opposition regarding his decision to designate Bill Pulte, head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, as acting director.
Associated Press writer Michael R. Sisak in New York contributed to this report.
