{"id":2647897,"date":"2026-08-21T15:00:02","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T19:00:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-vows-supreme-court-bid-after-court-upholds-letitia-james-subpoena-block\/"},"modified":"2026-08-21T15:03:36","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T19:03:36","slug":"doj-vows-supreme-court-bid-after-court-upholds-letitia-james-subpoena-block","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/doj-vows-supreme-court-bid-after-court-upholds-letitia-james-subpoena-block\/","title":{"rendered":"DOJ vows Supreme Court bid after court upholds Letitia James subpoena block"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fdoj-vows-supreme-court-bid-after-court-upholds-letitia-james-subpoena-block%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2647897&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A federal appeals court upheld a decision to block Justice Department subpoenas aimed at obtaining records from New York Attorney General Letitia James&#8217;s office. the DOJ plans to appeal to the Supreme Court. The case involved questions about the legality of John A. Sarcone III&#8217;s conduct as acting U.S. Attorney for northern new York, which the court found was unlawful as he was not properly serving in that role when issuing subpoenas related to James&#8217;s civil investigations into former President Trump and the NRA. The court also ruled that Sarcone was disqualified from further involvement in the related criminal investigations. Although the grand jury has been discharged, the legal disputes over Sarcone\u2019s appointment remain relevant. the decision emphasized that only a first assistant already in the role at the time of a vacancy can automatically become acting U.S.Attorney, and rejected the DOJ&#8217;s argument that delegations by the former Attorney General authorized Sarcone&#8217;s actions. The case highlights ongoing conflicts over judicial and executive authority, with political implications surrounding investigations into Trump and the NRA.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A federal appeals court upheld a lower court ruling on Friday quashing <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-justice\/\">Justice Department<\/a> subpoenas seeking records from <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/letitia-james\">New York Attorney General Letitia James\u2019s<\/a> office, prompting the department to say it will take the fight to the Supreme Court.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe disagree with the court\u2019s decision, and intend to take this case to the Supreme Court,\u201d the DOJ\u2019s Rapid Response X account said Friday after the 2-1 <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/storage.courtlistener.com\/recap\/gov.uscourts.ca2.b5d18709-d989-455f-8336-44a93564644c\/gov.uscourts.ca2.b5d18709-d989-455f-8336-44a93564644c.96.1.pdf\">ruling<\/a> by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit. The ruling upheld the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4411437\/judge-disqualifies-new-york-us-attorney\/\">January district court decision<\/a> that first quashed the subpoenas.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/world\/4696251\/icc-president-decries-sanctioned-us-demise-international-rule-law-state-department\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>ICC president decries being sanctioned by US: \u2018Demise of international rule of law\u2019<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4696319\/appeals-court-upholds-letitia-james-subpoena-block-as-doj-vows-to-appeal-to-supreme-court\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Appeals court upholds Letitia James subpoena block as DOJ vows to appeal to Supreme Court<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4696202\/texas-alex-jones-sandy-hook-case-judgement-reduced\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Texas judge wipes $50 million judgment against Alex Jones in Sandy Hook case<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a press conference.<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-image-caption=&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a press conference, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo\/Yuki Iwamura)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/2026\/08\/localimages\/AP25349625217127_4ba437.jpg?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a press conference, Monday, Dec. 15, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo\/Yuki Iwamura)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The court found John A. Sarcone III was \u201cnot lawfully serving as Acting U.S. Attorney\u201d for the Northern District of New York when he secured grand jury subpoenas tied to James\u2019s civil cases against <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\">Trump<\/a> and the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3494696\/doj-subpoenas-letitia-james-mishandling-trump-case\/\">National Rifle Association<\/a>. The panel also affirmed Sarcone\u2019s disqualification from further involvement in the related criminal investigations.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sarcone, Trump\u2019s pick to lead the Albany-based office, had been the interim U.S. attorney after the prior Senate-confirmed officeholder left. His 120-day term expired on July 14, 2025, and federal judges in the district declined to appoint a successor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The DOJ then named Sarcone first assistant U.S. attorney and a special attorney, maintaining he could continue acting as the district\u2019s top federal prosecutor.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\">John Sarcone, acting U.S. attorney for northern New York, speaks at a news conference after an immigration raid in Albany, NY, Sept. 9, 2025. (AP Photo\/Michael Hill)<\/p>\n<p>&#8221; data-large-file=&#8221;https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP25337803974470.webp?w=696&#8243; &#8220;https:><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">John Sarcone, acting U.S. attorney for northern New York, speaks at a news conference after an immigration raid in Albany, NY, Sept. 9, 2025. (AP Photo\/Michael Hill)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The appeals court majority rejected that approach under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act, which establishes who may temporarily fill Senate-confirmed offices. It held that only a first assistant already in the job when the vacancy occurs may automatically assume the acting role. Sarcone was named first assistant after the office became vacant.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The panel also rejected the department\u2019s argument that former Attorney General Pam Bondi\u2019s broad delegation of the office\u2019s duties independently authorized Sarcone to obtain the subpoenas. The delegation \u201cfunctionally made him the acting officer in all but name,\u201d Circuit Judge Guido Calabresi wrote for the majority, calling it an unlawful effort to circumvent the vacancies law.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The subpoenas, served Aug. 5 last year, sought documents and communications relating to James\u2019s civil enforcement cases against Trump and the NRA. The DOJ had opened a criminal civil rights investigation into those cases, and no charges have been filed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Trump and the NRA have said James targeted them for political reasons. James has denied wrongdoing and argued the investigation was retaliation for her lawsuits.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although the grand jury has been discharged, making the particular subpoenas unenforceable, the court said the appeal was not moot because the appointment question could recur and Sarcone\u2019s disqualification remains in effect.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4673975\/new-york-ice-mask-ban-latest-blue-state-loss-court\/\">NEW YORK\u2019S ICE MASK BAN IN THE LATEST BLUE-STATE LOSS IN COURT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In dissent, Judge Michael Park, an appointee of Trump, said the administration\u2019s interpretation permitted the executive branch to continue functioning during a \u201cpolitical stalemate\u201d in Senate confirmation.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-4\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-25\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-4\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Senate Minority Leader <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/3387037\/how-trump-circumvent-schumer-blockade-new-york-prosecutors\/\">Chuck Schumer<\/a> (D-NY) previously invoked the Senate\u2019s blue-slip tradition to block Trump\u2019s nominees for U.S. attorney posts in Manhattan and Brooklyn, saying he feared Trump intended to use those offices against perceived enemies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Appeals court upholds ruling, DOJ plans Supreme Court appeal<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2647898,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26181634519211.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4901,4431,4333,7836,32275],"class_list":["post-2647897","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-justice","tag-legal","tag-ohio","tag-subpoena","tag-supreme-court"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AP26181634519211.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647897","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2647897"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647897\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2647900,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2647897\/revisions\/2647900"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2647898"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2647897"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2647897"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2647897"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}