LAS VEGAS (AP) — An appeals court has ruled that Sigal Chattah, the Trump administration's initial pick for U.S. attorney in Nevada, was unlawfully appointed to lead federal prosecutions in the state.
The decision Monday by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals marked another setback for Trump's efforts to extend handpicked U.S. attorneys beyond a 120-day limit set by federal law. The strategy was designed to bypass confirmation by the U.S. Senate — something that generally requires a degree of bipartisan support.
Chattah has continued in the office under the ******* le of first ******* istant U.S. attorney since a lower-court judge paused a ruling disqualifying her from overseeing several criminal prosecutions while the appeals process took place.
Earlier this year, the White House selected George Kelesis as a replacement, but he must still go through the Senate's nomination process. Kelesis, a Las Vegas native, has been practicing law in the Silver State since 1981.
The administration's decision to nominate Kelesis in February signaled its uncertainty regarding Chattah's long-term position in the role after setbacks in similar cases across the country.

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