The appointment of Sigal Chattah as U.S. attorney in Nevada has been ruled unlawful by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, marking a significant legal decision. This ruling is part of a broader challenge to the Trump administration’s strategy of extending the terms of handpicked U.S. attorneys without Senate confirmation.
Chattah, who has been serving as the first assistant U.S. attorney, was initially chosen by the Trump administration but never confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Her appointment faced strong opposition from Nevada’s Democratic senators, who labeled her an extremist and pledged to block her permanent appointment. The appeals court decision follows a lower-court ruling that had already disqualified her from overseeing certain prosecutions, pending appeal.
Earlier this year, the administration nominated George Kelesis, a seasoned attorney from Las Vegas, as a potential replacement for Chattah. However, Kelesis will need to navigate the Senate confirmation process before officially taking on the role. His nomination reflects uncertainty about Chattah’s future in the position, especially after similar legal setbacks for Trump-appointed prosecutors in other states.
The Trump administration had argued that Chattah’s role as acting U.S. attorney was valid, allowing her to continue serving during Kelesis’s nomination process. According to Tyler Lee from the U.S. Department of Justice, Chattah could serve for an additional 210 days if Kelesis’s nomination is rejected or withdrawn.
Chattah resigned just before her term was set to expire in July 2025, but was immediately appointed as the first assistant U.S. attorney by then-Attorney General Pam Bondi. This move was similar to the administration’s actions in California and New Jersey, where courts have also ruled against the extended appointments of Bill Essayli and Alina Habba. Habba resigned following an adverse ruling, while Essayli remains the acting top prosecutor under a similar title.
Legal challenges to Chattah’s appointment arose when four individuals indicted on felony charges argued that she was unlawfully serving in her role. U.S. District Judge David Campbell disqualified her, citing that her tenure exceeded legal limits. However, this ruling was stayed during the appeals process.
Chattah has been a controversial figure, known for her alignment with Trump’s unfounded claims regarding the 2020 election outcome. She represented one of six Nevada Republicans involved in submitting alternate electoral certificates to Congress. In a related development, Nevada Judge Mary Kay Holthus recently dismissed a case against these Republicans, citing a lack of sufficient evidence for intent to deceive.
Meanwhile, Kelesis’s nomination is under consideration by Democratic Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen. Kelesis, known for his expertise in civil and criminal tax litigation, also serves as the president of the Nevada Tax Commission and teaches as an adjunct professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
