The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced on Mar. 10 that it will not appoint a new interim United States Attorney following the expiration of Brad D. Schimel’s term on March 17, 2026.
This decision follows the statutory expiration of Schimel’s appointment, which was made by the Attorney General under 28 U.S.C. §546(a) on November 17, 2025. According to federal law, upon the end of an interim appointee’s term, the court has discretionary authority under Section 546(d) to appoint a United States Attorney until a permanent replacement is confirmed.
A majority of judges on the court have chosen not to exercise this authority at this time. The court stated that this decision “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 statement further noted, “To the credit of that office, from the Court’s perspective, it has continued to represent the citizens of this district well.”
The court indicated it will await action from federal authorities: “The Court awaits the nomination and confirmation of a full-time United States Attorney by the President and United States Senate.”
This development means that leadership at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern Wisconsin will remain in transition until a presidential nominee is confirmed by Congress.
