United States Attorney Chris Kavanaugh will step down by the end of the year

By 
 August 30, 2024

Justice Brett Kavanaugh gained attention earlier this summer when it was reported that he is planning to release a legal memoir.

Yet he is not the only person with the Kavanaugh surname to make headlines recently, as another figure recently announced his resignation. 

United States attorney will leave position by year's end

A statement put out by the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday revealed that United States Attorney Chris Kavanaugh will depart from his position at the end of this year.

"Today, I am announcing my plans to resign from my position as United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia effective at year’s end, following the commencement of my wife Jasmine Hyejung Yoon's service as a United States District Court Judge this September," Kavanaugh declared.

"During this brief period of overlap, any cases in which the United States is a party, including all criminal matters, will be assigned to the other judges within the Western District of Virginia in accordance with the Court's standing order for assignment of cases," he continued.

"Serving as United States Attorney has been the highlight of my professional life," the Democratic appointee went on to stress.

Kavanagh thanks president, Democratic senators

Kavanagh's appointment as United States attorney general by President Joe Biden came in 2021 after receiving recommendations from Democratic Virginia Sen. Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.

His oath of office was administered by Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco at the DOJ's headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Kavanagh made a point of expressing gratitude to Biden, Monaco, and the two lawmakers as his statement drew to a close.

"I am grateful to President Biden, Attorney General Merrick Garland, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, and Senators Warner and Kaine for the opportunity to serve as the chief federal law enforcement official for the Western District of Virginia, and to lead an Office full of public servants dedicated to the rule of law and the pursuit of justice," he asserted.

Trump may appoint Ken Paxton as attorney general

If former President Donald Trump ultimately prevails in November, then Kavanaugh will be far from being the only United States attorney to leave his post.

According to The Texas Tribune, Trump is planning to overhaul the DOJ and may put Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in charge of it.

"I would, actually," the former president was quoted as saying in May when asked by a KDFW-TV reporter if he would consider making Paxton America's top lawyer.

"He’s very, very talented. I mean, we have a lot of people that want that one and will be very good at it. But he’s a very talented guy," Trump added.

" A free people [claim] their rights, as derived from the laws of nature."
Thomas Jefferson