The Trump administration has tapped George Kelesis, a longtime Nevada criminal defense attorney, to replace Sigal Chattah as the state's top federal prosecutor after her eligibility came under legal scrutiny. Kelesis, who has practiced law in Las Vegas since 1981 and specializes in white-collar criminal defense, faces Senate confirmation after Chattah's appointment was challenged in court.

Chattah, appointed last March, is among several Trump nominees who failed to secure Senate confirmation and now faces legal questions about her authority to serve. A lower court ruled in September that she is not validly serving in the role, though she continues overseeing cases while the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reviews the decision. The administration's pattern of appointing prosecutors without bipartisan support has drawn court challenges and resistance from judges who question the legality of such appointments.

Unlike Chattah, who was labeled an extremist by Nevada's Democratic senators, Kelesis may have a smoother path to confirmation. He is registered as a nonpartisan voter and has contributed to both parties over the years. While Chattah unsuccessfully ran for state attorney general in 2022 and faced accusations of using racist language, Kelesis brings decades of tax litigation experience and serves as chairman of the Nevada Tax Commission.