Judge on the clock as NY AG Letitia James challenges US attorney's authority to investigate her lawsuits

New York Attorney General Letitia James is challenging the authority of Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York John Sarcone.

New York Attorney General Letitia James leaves the Walter E. Hoffman United States Courthouse following an arraignment hearing on Oct. 24, 2025 in Norfolk, Va. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

"Sarcone exercised power that he did not lawfully possess," Chen indicated to Schofield, according to the AP.

DOJ lawyers contend that Sarcone was appropriately appointed and the bid to block the subpoenas should be rejected, per the outlet. Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Belliss contended that disqualification of the man would be "drastic and extreme," the AP reported. 

"We don’t think that’s a proper remedy," he said.

After lobbing questions at both lawyers, the judge did not state when she would make a ruling, the AP reported.

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New York Attorney General Letitia James stands silently during a press conference on Oct. 21, 2025, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

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Belliss contended in court that Bondi possesses wide power to appoint attorneys in the DOJ and delegate her functions to them, but he also indicated that even if Sarcone is not appropriately serving in the position of acting U.S. attorney, he may still carry out grand jury probes as a special attorney, the AP reported.

Fox News Digital reached out to the Justice Department on Friday for comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Alex Nitzberg is a writer for Fox News Digital.

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/judge-clock-ny-ag-letitia-james-challenges-us-attorneys-authority-investigate-her-lawsuits