Full Breakdown
Resignation of Delaware's Acting U.S. Attorney Julianne Murray
12/12/2025, 9:03:56 PM
Overview of the Resignation
Julianne Murray, the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware, resigned on December 12, 2025, amid ongoing scrutiny of the Trump administration's appointment practices for federal prosecutors. Her resignation follows a ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which deemed the Trump administration's appointment of Alina Habba as acting U.S. Attorney in New Jersey unlawful. This ruling raised concerns about similar appointments, including Murray's.
Appointment of Benjamin Wallace
Immediately following Murray's resignation, Benjamin Wallace, who has served as the first deputy in the Delaware U.S. Attorney's office for six months, was appointed as her successor by Delaware District Court Judge Colm Connolly. Wallace, a Yale Law School graduate and former Supreme Court clerk, has been a prosecutor in the office for approximately three years. His appointment was facilitated by a legal provision allowing the court to fill the position when it remains vacant.
Background and Context
Murray's tenure as acting U.S. Attorney began in the summer of 2025 after her initial interim appointment expired. Legal experts had questioned the legitimacy of her continued service, especially after the Trump administration's attempts to maintain her position without Senate confirmation. Murray attributed her resignation to the refusal of U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester to support her nomination, citing the "blue slip" tradition that allows home-state senators to influence judicial appointments.
Official Statements & Responses
In a statement, Senator Chris Coons expressed gratitude for Murray's service but noted that he and Blunt Rochester did not believe she was the right candidate for the role. "Had she been nominated for the permanent position, I would not have returned my blue slip," Coons stated. Murray, in her resignation announcement, criticized the blue slip process, stating, "The highly politicized, flawed blue slip tradition is costing Delaware a U.S. Attorney and is affecting the country as a whole."
Criticism & Opposition
Murray's resignation has drawn criticism from Trump supporters, including Alina Habba, who described the situation as a failure of the political system. Habba stated, "Another resignation from a well-qualified U.S. Attorney. This should not be happening," emphasizing that Murray served Delaware with "dignity and focus on one mission—taking down crime." Critics argue that the blue slip tradition is being exploited to undermine Trump's judicial appointments.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Murray's resignation was not directly challenged in court, the broader context of the Trump administration's appointment practices has faced legal scrutiny. The Third Circuit's ruling against Habba's appointment raises questions about the legality of other similar appointments, including Murray's. The implications of these rulings on future appointments remain uncertain.
What's Next
With Wallace now appointed as U.S. Attorney, the focus shifts to how he will navigate the ongoing political landscape and the potential for further challenges to the Trump administration's judicial appointments. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between the executive branch and the judiciary regarding the appointment of federal prosecutors.
