Trump administration replacing top federal prosecutor for District of Arizona

PHOENIX – The Trump administration has removed U.S. Attorney Gary M. Restaino from his position as the top federal prosecutor for the District of Arizona.

Restaino was notified of his termination in a communication with the White House, the Department of Justice announced Tuesday morning.

The U.S. is divided into 94 districts that are led by U.S. attorneys who can be fired and appointed at the discretion of the sitting president. Appointees must be confirmed by the Senate.

When did Restaino become U.S. attorney for District of Arizona?

Restaino, who was appointed to the top Arizona spot by then-President Joe Biden in late 2021, completed his service on Monday. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel C. Hernandez becomes the acting U.S. attorney for the district.

“Getting the opportunity to lead an office in which I have worked for many years has been energizing,” Restaino, who became a federal prosecutor in Arizona in 2003, said in a press release.

In 2022, he was one of 12 U.S. attorneys selected to serve on then-Attorney General Merrick Garland’s advisory committee. He also filled in that year as acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona currently employs about 180 assistant U.S. attorneys and another 160 or so administrative professionals based at large offices in Phoenix and Tucson and smaller branches in Yuma and Flagstaff.

“I am thankful for our people here in Arizona – the dedicated prosecutors, victim advocates and administrative professionals at the United States Attorney’s Office, as well as the agents, analysts, and accountants at our federal law enforcement agencies – who work collaboratively and collegially with state and local partners and leaders of underserved communities to make Arizona a better and safer place,” Restaino said.

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