Trump taps personal attorney James McDonald for powerful Manhattan US attorney post
WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump announced on Saturday, June 13, that he intends to appoint attorney James McDonald as the next US Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), one of the Justice Department’s most prominent and influential prosecutor offices.
The move comes days after Trump nominated current SDNY chief Jay Clayton to serve as director of national intelligence. McDonald, a former federal prosecutor and current law firm partner, has also been part of Trump’s legal team handling the appeal of his 2024 New York criminal conviction.
Trump announces McDonald as choice to lead SDNY
Trump revealed his decision in a post on Truth Social, ending speculation about who would replace Clayton if his nomination to lead the nation’s intelligence community is confirmed. “I am pleased to announce my intent to appoint James M McDonald as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York,” Trump wrote.
The president highlighted McDonald’s background as a former assistant US attorney in Manhattan and his service as director of enforcement at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission during Trump’s first term.
I am pleased to announce my intent to appoint James M. McDonald as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. A native of the Great State of Oklahoma, Jamie is a former Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Southern District of New York, and served as Director of… pic.twitter.com/o8YNLD8kti
— Commentary Donald J. Trump Truth Social Posts On X (@TrumpTruthOnX) June 13, 2026
“I am confident that Jamie will deliver strong results for our Country as the next United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, as he has the respect of, and will work fantastically with, our Law Enforcement Patriots, the Legal Community, and the Judicial Bench,” Trump wrote. “Good luck Jamie. I have no doubt about your future greatness!”
James McDonald, one of the president’s personal lawyers, will replace Jay Clayton, who has been nominated as national intelligence director. https://t.co/EUnFB5oPa2
— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) June 13, 2026
McDonald currently serves as a senior partner at Sullivan & Cromwell. He previously clerked for Chief Justice John Roberts and worked in the White House Counsel’s Office during former President George W Bush’s administration.
Nicholas Biase, a spokesperson for the US attorney’s office in Manhattan, said the office “welcomes the President’s choice to lead the SDNY Mr McDonald is widely respected.”
Trump legal team role draws attention to nomination
McDonald’s selection comes as he continues serving on Trump’s legal team in the president’s appeal of his New York hush money conviction.
Trump was convicted in 2024 on 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records connected to payments made to Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. His appeal remains pending.
If confirmed, McDonald would oversee one of the country’s most influential federal prosecutor offices. The Southern District of New York handles a broad range of cases involving terrorism, espionage, securities fraud, organized crime and public corruption.
The nomination follows Trump’s decision to nominate Clayton for the position of director of national intelligence. Clayton has led SDNY since shortly after Trump’s 2024 election victory and has overseen a number of high-profile matters, including the January indictment of ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
