McDonald, a former federal prosecutor and current Trump personal lawyer, will replace Jay Clayton, who was nominated for director of national intelligence.
6:25 PM
President Donald Trump announced Saturday he intends to nominate James M. McDonald as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, one of the most influential positions in the Justice Department.
McDonald, a former federal prosecutor, currently serves as a litigation partner at Sullivan & Cromwell law firm. He previously worked in the White House counsel's office during President George W. Bush's administration and has served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York.
The nomination comes after Trump this week nominated Jay Clayton, the current SDNY chief, for the role of director of national intelligence. Clayton's move to that position opened the vacancy McDonald has been selected to fill.
McDonald is part of the legal team handling Trump's pending appeal of felony convictions in New York. Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts for concealing a $130,000 payment to adult film actor Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election. McDonald was brought on to handle the appeal of that Manhattan hush money conviction, which remains pending.
The Southern District of New York oversees one of the most prestigious prosecution offices within the Justice Department. The office maintains a vast portfolio that includes terrorism and espionage cases, securities fraud, and other major federal matters affecting the country.
McDonald previously served as an assistant U.S. attorney and ran enforcement at the Commodities Futures Trading Commission. His nomination requires Senate confirmation before he can assume the role.
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