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Current Events

Rogoff sues Trump over the 54-minute firing

The fired federal prosecutor argues the administration had no power to remove him before the Senate confirmed a successor.

3 min read2026-07-27
Executive Power

Rogoff sues Trump over the 54-minute firing1

Roger Rogoff sued President Trump, the Executive Office of the President, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, and the Justice Department on July 21, docketed as Rogoff v. Trump in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.1 A panel of that court's judges had appointed him U.S. attorney. The administration fired him by email 54 minutes after he took the oath of office.2 His complaint argues federal law shields a judicially appointed U.S. attorney from removal until the Senate confirms a successor.2

Intelligence

Senate votes tonight on a DNI pick who wouldn't affirm the 2020 election3

The Senate holds a cloture vote this evening, at approximately 5:30 p.m., on Jay Clayton's nomination for Director of National Intelligence — Executive Calendar #833, which records him under his full name, Walter Clayton.3 The Senate Intelligence Committee advanced the nomination on July 21 by a 9-8 party-line vote, after Clayton declined at his hearing to say Joe Biden won the 2020 election.4 Invoking cloture tonight would clear the last procedural obstacle before a confirmation vote installs him atop the intelligence community the office coordinates.

Congress

House pairs a stock-trading ban with a national voter ID mandate5

H.R. 7008, engrossed by the House on July 22, bars members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from buying publicly traded stock.5 The bill separately requires voters in federal elections, including those who vote by mail, to show government-issued photo identification.5 The House passed the combined bill 232-198, largely along party lines.6

Energy Policy

New York freezes new hyperscale data center permits7

Executive Order No. 62, signed by Governor Kathy Hochul, directs the Department of Environmental Conservation to hold every pending hyperscale data center permit in abeyance until the state finishes a Generic Environmental Impact Statement.7 The freeze covers any project drawing 50 megawatts or more.7 It is the first statewide moratorium on hyperscale data centers in the country.8 Empire State Development has 60 days to issue guidance for local governments negotiating community benefits from developers.7 The Department of Public Service has the same 60-day deadline to convene a working group on making data centers pay upfront for grid upgrades.7 The Department of Environmental Conservation's own water-use review carries a 12-month deadline.7

Sources

  1. CourtListener · Docket, Rogoff v. Trump, No. 2:26-cv-02566 (W.D. Wash.)
  2. Fox News · Trump-fired US attorney launches "unprecedented" court fight after just 54 minutes on job
  3. Senate Democrats · Schedule for Monday, July 27, 2026
  4. Federal News Network · Senate panel advances Jay Clayton's nomination to lead US intelligence agencies
  5. U.S. Government Publishing Office · H.R. 7008, Stop Insider Trading Act (engrossed in the House, July 22, 2026)
  6. Fox News · Dozens of House Democrats reject bill fusing congressional stock ban with federal voter ID
  7. Office of Governor Kathy Hochul · Executive Order No. 62: Establishing a Temporary Moratorium on Data Centers in New York
  8. CNBC · New York issues nation's first statewide moratorium on new hyperscale data centers