President Donald Trump's selection of John A. Sarcone III as interim U.S. Attorney has sparked controversy in Upstate New York.
According to syracuse.com, the newly appointed prosecutor previously suggested trying President Joe Biden for treason and called for former President Barack Obama's deportation.
Sarcone, who has no prosecutorial experience, was sworn in Monday as the interim U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York, overseeing criminal prosecutions across 32 counties. His appointment bypassed Senate approval through a loophole allowing temporary appointments, raising concerns among legal experts about the selection process.
Sarcone's social media presence reveals strong partisan views and controversial statements about Democratic leaders. In response to Biden's New Year's Eve 2022 tweet about his readiness to work, Sarcone called him a "traitor" who should face treason charges.
He expressed similar sentiments about Hillary Clinton and referred to Obama as "the first illegal alien" who should be deported.
The 62-year-old attorney's professional background includes working on Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and serving as a regional official for the General Services Administration. He has attempted several unsuccessful political campaigns as a Republican, including runs for Westchester County district attorney, state attorney general, and state Supreme Court judgeship.
During his campaign for district attorney, Sarcone expressed critical views of the Democratic Party. He claimed Democrats "have set laws in motion that are ruining our state" and described the party as "evil."
The appointment follows a similar move by Trump earlier this year when he named Ed Martin, another conservative activist without prosecutorial experience, as interim U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia. Martin, who later received a permanent nomination, had defended the January 6 rioters.
David Driesen, a constitutional law professor at Syracuse University, voiced concerns about the appointment strategy. He explained that Trump's administration has frequently used interim appointments to circumvent Senate scrutiny of candidates who might face challenges in the confirmation process.
Federal statutes permit temporary appointees to serve up to 120 days, after which federal judges in the local U.S. District Court can make appointments. Trump has expressed a preference for acting appointments, citing the flexibility they provide in bypassing Senate confirmation.
During his swearing-in ceremony in Albany, Sarcone defended his lack of prosecutorial experience. He stated:
I believe the prosecutorial power, and discretion, is best entrusted to those with the full breadth of professional and life experiences, from which common sense, wisdom and informed judgment emerge.
The new interim U.S. attorney outlined his priorities, including securing the Canadian border, addressing federal law violations, and combating public corruption. He also indicated potential scrutiny of Upstate colleges, particularly regarding religious freedom issues. Sarcone declared:
Our reach will not stop at prosecuting those who choose to violate our laws, but also those who knowingly support any violations in any way, shape or form.
John A. Sarcone III now leads the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York after President Trump utilized a temporary appointment strategy to install him in the position. The appointment has drawn attention due to Sarcone's lack of prosecutorial experience and history of controversial statements about Democratic leaders, including calls for trying Biden for treason and deporting Obama. The interim appointment allows him to serve for 120 days without Senate confirmation, aligning with Trump's broader pattern of bypassing traditional confirmation processes for key positions.
