Transitioning Power: Appointment Sparks Controversy in Wisconsin's Federal Courts

Sat Mar 21 2026 02:34:29 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi appoints Brad Schimel as the first assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, amidst ongoing Senate delays on confirmations.

In response to Senate delays with presidential confirmations, Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed Brad Schimel as the first assistant U.S. attorney after his interim term was set to expire. Schimel, a former Wisconsin attorney general, will continue to oversee the Milwaukee office, despite opposition claims of his partisan affiliations. Currently, most federal judicial districts are managed by interim officials as only 30 of the 94 districts have confirmed U.S. attorneys.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is allowing an ousted interim federal prosecutor to continue overseeing cases in Wisconsin with a new title as the Senate delays confirmation votes on President Trump’s appointees.

Bondi appointed Brad Schimel in November to a 120-day term as interim U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, headquartered in Milwaukee. His term was set to expire Tuesday, but under Bondi's new appointment, Schimel has been named the first assistant U.S. attorney in Milwaukee.

“I am grateful for this opportunity,” Schimel stated. “I will continue to work tirelessly to make the entire district safer and stronger.”

Currently, only 30 out of 94 federal judicial districts are managed by a presidentially confirmed U.S. attorney, leaving most under interim management.

Schimel, a Republican, previously served as Wisconsin’s attorney general and faced criticism from Democrats about his partisanship, emphasizing the need for impartiality in the judicial system.