San Diego – Our atty. Tara McGrath was removed from her role on Wednesday evening and told a federal prosecutor in her office, “This afternoon, my tenure as a US lawyer has ended and I was informed that today is effective.” “I’ve been there,” he sent an email.
First assistant our atty. Andrew Hayden, the office’s longtime prosecutor, represents a US attorney for the Southern District of California. Hayden previously served for about two months as playing a US lawyer in 2023, filling the short gap between Randy Grossman and McGrath.
“It was an honor to serve as a US lawyer and work with the exceptional team in this office to develop strong partnerships with law enforcement agencies and communities that pursue justice,” McGrath said in a statement. Ta. “As I step down from my decades-long career in public service, I am inspired by the dedicated civil servants in this district and I am proud of everything we have achieved together.”
A statement from her office said McGrath was informed of her dismissal “in communication from the White House, in the direction of the US President.” The statement added: “The White House also thanked McGrath for her service to her country.”
McGrath was sworn in October 2023, and after President Biden waited more than two years of term, he nominated her, and the Senate delayed her by six more months to confirm her, he was about 16 as a US lawyer. I served in the month.
The news of her removal on Wednesday was somewhat surprising. Not because it was unexpected, but because it followed a more traditional process than was expected under the Trump administration.
It is customary for a new presidential administration to eliminate US lawyers appointed by the previous administration, and to eliminate the second commander in the office, which takes over the acting role, as happened with McGrath and Haden. There is then a lengthy process for a new president to nominate his own US lawyer pick and acquire them through Senate confirmation.
The Bloomberg Act planned in January that the new Trump administration would bypass the first assistant in favor of prosecutors from offices that administration officials believe will support Trump’s law enforcement priorities. He reported. The outlet reported that the Trump administration prioritizes “famous districts,” including those in New York, Washington, DC, Miami, Texas and California.
That’s what happened in the Columbia area where we are tentatively appearing. Ed Martin was sworn in just minutes after Trump on his inauguration day, and the next day he ends up trying to dismiss the lawsuit against a defendant charged with storming the US Capitol on January 6, 2021. led the
McGrath was expecting equally quick change given its border area of the Southern California region and its nature as one of the busiest districts in the country.
Instead, she spent more than three weeks and began to direct the Trump administration to give federal prosecutors more focus on immigration. “Resignation letter as another federal employee of the Human Resources Administration.
“I’ve cherished the years I spent here, including both the toughest challenges and the biggest moments of my career,” McGrath sent an e-mail to her office on Wednesday night. I wrote it in an email. “However, over the past three weeks I have not witnessed or worked on any rivals over the years. I have never seen the dedication, resilience or patience from you all as I have observed. Your commitment to this office, the people in this district, and to each other’s work is extraordinary.”
McGrath told the Union Tribune last April that she knew that Trump would be short-lived if he took office, but she didn’t focus on how long her term would last. “I don’t think this is my job,” she said at the time. “I’m a custodian with the title of US lawyer.”
After Trump’s election, when asked if she was planning on resigning early, she promised to stay there until she was told to leave. “American lawyers are proud to serve the district and will continue in their roles as long as she is needed,” a spokesman for her office said at the time.
In a statement announcing her departure, McGrath’s office touted more than $41 million gained from her tenure settlement and recovery. It listed the handover of female dopawn mastermind Michael Pratt, some of her important achievements. $130 million forfeiture settlement with Winn Las Vegas. The first US prosecution and conviction for smuggling greenhouse gases into the US. And a long sentence for the half-brother convicted of killing their sister and her four family members in Tijuana.
She ended her email in her office by saying it was the same message she shared on her first day as our lawyer: “Please take care of each other.” Take care of yourself. And don’t stop asking difficult questions. Justice calls for scrutiny and integrity. Keep yourself and others at that high standard.”
Hayden, who has been McGrath’s first assistant for the past few months, is a University City High School and Stanford University alumni who holds law degrees from the University of San Diego. He served as a Navy officer for five years before joining the San Diego US Lawyer’s Office in 2010. In addition to serving as a second role in the office, his first assistant, he has worked to prosecute general crimes and oversee the unit. It prosecutes major crimes, violent crimes and human trafficking. He led the prosecutor overseeing illegal guns for former sheriff Colonel Marco Garmo and jeweller Leo Hamel.
The Riggins writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Source link
