District of Columbia Attorney General Appointment Reform Act
House Committee Advances Bill to Give Trump Power to Appoint D.C. Attorney General
District of Columbia Attorney General Appointment Reform Act of 2025
Stalled
No legislative action in over 90 days.
Legislative Progress
Key Points
- This bill would change how Washington, D.C.’s top local lawyer is chosen, making the Attorney General a presidential appointee.
- The D.C. Attorney General would serve at the pleasure of the President and would not need Senate confirmation.
- The Attorney General’s term would line up with the President’s term, meaning a new President could replace the Attorney General.
- If this becomes law, the current D.C. Attorney General’s service would end on the day the law takes effect.
- The bill says staff hired by the D.C. Attorney General would not automatically become federal employees just because the Attorney General is appointed by the President.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
How this policy affects specific groups of people
State Impacts
Milestones
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 270.
The bill is now on the schedule for the full chamber to consider. It's in line for debate and a vote.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 119-316.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 25 - 20.
The committee approved this bill and is sending it to the full chamber for a vote. This is a significant step — most bills never get this far.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
2 articles
Trump’s National Guard deployment, Congressional actions undermine DC autonomy: experts
Advocates and experts warn that proposed legislation to make the elected D.C. attorney general a presidential appointee poses a threat to self-governance and exemplifies efforts by Congress to interfere in local affairs and eliminate political opposition.
Law that changes DC tax code isn't valid, attorney general says
In the context of a tax code dispute, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson criticized 'bullying' by Republicans, specifically citing legislation that would remove the elected attorney general and allow the president to appoint a replacement.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
District of Columbia Attorney General Appointment Reform Act of 2025
Data Sources
Sponsor
Cosponsors
(1)Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.