Federal Judges Choose Not to Extend Interim U.S. Attorney’s Term in Wisconsin
In a recent development, federal judges in Milwaukee have chosen not to prolong the interim appointment of U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel, whose term is set to conclude next week. Schimel was appointed by Attorney General Pam Bondi in November for a 120-day term, serving the Eastern District of Wisconsin, based in Milwaukee. This district covers the eastern portion of the state, and Schimel’s term will officially end on March 17.
According to federal law, judges within a federal district have the authority to extend an interim U.S. attorney’s appointment until a permanent replacement is confirmed. However, the judges from the Eastern District have decided against extending Schimel’s term. Instead, they plan to await the nomination and confirmation of a full-time U.S. attorney by President Donald Trump and the U.S. Senate.
“In doing so, the Court intends no criticism or commentary on the performance or qualifications of the Interim United States Attorney or any of the attorneys in the United States Attorney’s Office,” the judges stated on the Eastern District’s website. “To the credit of that office, from the Court’s perspective, it has continued to represent the citizens of this district well.”
Schimel, who has a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School, declined to comment when contacted by The Associated Press. Before his current role, Schimel, a Republican, served as the Waukesha County district attorney and was elected as Wisconsin attorney general in 2014. He was defeated in a re-election bid by Democrat Josh Kaul in 2018, but was subsequently appointed as a judge in Waukesha County by then-Governor Scott Walker.
Last spring, Schimel campaigned for a position on the state Supreme Court, a race that was closely watched due to the potential shift in the court’s ideological balance. Despite receiving an endorsement from President Trump and substantial financial backing from billionaire Elon Musk, Schimel lost to liberal candidate Susan Crawford.
Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin recently expressed opposition to Schimel continuing as interim U.S. attorney, labeling him a partisan actor and emphasizing the importance of appointing someone committed to the rule of law rather than loyalty to the President.
Shortly after his appointment as interim U.S. attorney, Schimel oversaw the prosecution of Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan. She was charged in April for allegedly assisting an immigrant in evading federal immigration officers at the Milwaukee County courthouse. The case has highlighted tensions surrounding the Trump administration’s immigration policies. While the administration labeled Dugan as an activist judge, Democrats argued that the case was being used to undermine judicial opposition.
In December, Schimel’s team successfully secured a conviction against Dugan for obstruction [source]. She faces a potential sentence of up to five years in prison. Her attorneys are currently seeking a new trial, and her sentencing date has yet to be scheduled.
