An appeals court has ruled that Sigal Chattah, appointed by the Trump administration as the U.S. attorney in Nevada, cannot legally serve in the role. The decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday represents a setback for efforts to keep appointed U.S. attorneys in their positions beyond the 120-day limit set by federal law without Senate confirmation.
Chattah has continued to work in the office as the first assistant U.S. attorney since a lower court judge temporarily paused a ruling that would have disqualified her from overseeing several criminal prosecutions. The White House nominated George Kelesis as her replacement in February, but he must still undergo the Senate's confirmation process. Kelesis, a Las Vegas native, has been practicing law in Nevada since 1981.
The administration's decision to nominate Kelesis signaled potential uncertainty about Chattah's long-term position, following similar legal challenges in other states. Chattah, a conservative attorney, was initially appointed interim U.S. attorney in 2025 but did not receive Senate approval. Nevada's Democratic senators opposed her nomination, citing her past statements, including claims about the 2020 election being stolen.
Despite opposition, the Trump administration contended that Chattah was validly serving as acting U.S. attorney and could continue while Kelesis navigated the nomination process. Legal filings indicated she could potentially serve for an additional 210 days if Kelesis's nomination were rejected, withdrawn, or returned.
Chattah resigned the day before her initial term was set to expire in July 2025. On the same day, then-Attorney General Pam Bondi appointed her as first assistant U.S. attorney, a role from which she continued to serve as acting U.S. attorney. Similar appointments in California and New Jersey faced legal challenges. In New Jersey, Alina Habba resigned in December following an unfavorable appeals court decision. In California, Bill Essayli continues to serve in a similar capacity as first assistant U.S. attorney.
Four individuals indicted on felony charges by Chattah's office in Nevada had argued that her continued service was illegal, seeking to dismiss their cases or bar her and her team from prosecuting them. U.S. District Judge David Campbell had previously disqualified Chattah from these cases last fall, ruling she had exceeded the legal limit for temporary service. However, he stayed the ruling pending the Department of Justice's appeal.
Chattah, a former member of the Republican National Committee, has publicly echoed claims questioning the integrity of the 2020 election. She represented one of six Nevada Republicans who submitted certificates to Congress asserting Donald Trump had won the state's presidential vote. Kelesis also represents one of these individuals in a related case.
Nevada Judge Mary Kay Holthus recently dismissed the case brought by Democratic Attorney General Aaron Ford against these six Republicans, finding insufficient evidence of intent to deceive government officials. Democratic Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen have met with Kelesis and are reviewing his nomination. Kelesis's legal background includes expertise in civil and criminal tax litigation, and he currently serves as president of the Nevada Tax Commission and has been an adjunct professor at the University of Nevada Las Vegas' law school.