President Trump announced his intent to nominate former federal prosecutor James M. McDonald as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York. McDonald, a litigation partner at Sullivan & Cromwell, currently sits on Trump’s appeal team for the Manhattan conviction on 34 felony counts. The pick places a personal lawyer at the helm of an office that has long pursued Trump‑related investigations.

Trump highlighted McDonald’s résumé, noting his prior role as an assistant U.S. attorney in the same district and his stint as director of enforcement at the CFTC during the president’s first term. He also clerked for Chief Justice John G. Roberts. Senate confirmation will be required, and the nomination replaces Jay Clayton, who is pending his own confirmation as director of national intelligence.

Lawyers and investors note that McDonald’s low public profile contrasts with Clayton’s media presence, raising questions about the office’s future handling of high‑stakes cases involving Live Nation and Polymarket, clients he represented at Sullivan & Cromwell. With roughly 200 assistant attorneys under his command, his leadership could shape enforcement priorities that affect Wall Street and tech‑sector litigation.