Federal judges declined to permanently appoint interim U.S. attorney John Sarcone, leaving the post’s future in President Trump’s hands.

Panel Declines to Make Interim Appointment Permanent

A panel of federal judges has declined to permanently appoint John Sarcone as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of New York, casting uncertainty over the district’s top federal prosecutor position. Sarcone, whose interim term is set to expire Tuesday, was appointed in March by Attorney General Pamela Bondi to lead the district, which encompasses central and upstate New York, including Albany, Syracuse, and Binghamton.

The judges issued a brief statement on Monday: “The Board of Judges of the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York declines to exercise the authority granted pursuant to 28 U.S. Code § 546(d) to appoint a United States attorney for the Northern District of New York,” offering no further explanation for their decision.

Recent Incident Highlights Tenure

Last month, Sarcone made headlines when he reported fearing for his life after allegedly being confronted by a knife-wielding illegal immigrant in Albany. According to the Department of Homeland Security, Saul Morales-Garcia of El Salvador “lunged at Sarcone with a knife while yelling aggressively in a foreign language.” The incident further heightened attention on Sarcone’s short tenure.

Just days before the judges’ announcement, Sarcone reportedly told media outlets that he believed his interim appointment would be extended. However, the panel clarified that no action had been taken to extend or renew his term, further complicating the situation as his expiration date neared.

Path Forward Depends on Presidential Nomination

With the judges declining to appoint Sarcone on a permanent basis, his future now rests with the White House. For Sarcone to remain in the post, President Donald Trump must formally nominate him and the Senate must confirm the appointment. The position is critical, overseeing a vast region from central New York to the Canadian border and impacting federal prosecutions in key cities.

Reflecting on his appointment in March, Sarcone said, “Thank you, Attorney General Bondi, for trusting me to carry out this important mission and most importantly thank you President Trump for once again having faith and confidence in me to do my part to accomplish one of your most important tasks – to restore public confidence and trust in our government and the Department of Justice.”

According to the Department of Justice, Sarcone has a long history of public service, previously overseeing federal facilities in the region and serving in several legal and administrative roles, including as Town Attorney and General Counsel to police and rail employee associations. He also founded a general practice law firm, handling matters from business disputes to large real estate transactions.

In a related development, the Western District of New York recently saw its interim U.S. attorney, Michael DiGiacomo, appointed permanently before his term expired. As the Northern District awaits a decision from President Trump and the Senate, the role remains temporarily filled and the district’s legal community closely watches for the next move.