Story perspectives

Trump Pushes SDNY Attorney Nominee Amid Senate Stalemate

6/21/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Donald Trump demanded Senate confirmation of James “Jamie” McDonald as U.S. attorney for Southern District of New York at the G7 summit.
Senate has not voted, leaving it pending, as senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal called McDonald a Trump loyalist over Adani, Southern Coal dismissals.
Southern District of New York prosecutors said work as a U.S. attorney, Commodity Futures Trading Commission director, and Sullivan & Cromwell showed integrity.

History

Historical Context

The 1987 rejection of President Reagan’s Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork—defeated 58-42 after Ted Kennedy’s televised attack and a 30-hour, five-day hearing—showed how partisan Senate resistance can stall appointments. That battle set a template for later fights, and today senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal echo the same scrutiny in the stalled confirmation of James “Jamie” McDonald.

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Story summary

President Donald Trump demanded Senate confirmation of James “Jamie” McDonald as U.S. attorney for Southern District of New York at the G7 summit.
Senate has not voted, leaving it pending, as senators Elizabeth Warren and Richard Blumenthal called McDonald a Trump loyalist over Adani, Southern Coal dismissals.
Southern District of New York prosecutors said work as a U.S. attorney, Commodity Futures Trading Commission director, and Sullivan & Cromwell showed integrity.

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