Louisiana US attorney replaced after Trump vows to ‘clean house’

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The U.S. Department of Justice has named April Leon as the Acting United States Attorney for the Middle District of Louisiana following the departure of Ronald Gathe Jr., who had served in the role since 2021.

Leon’s appointment comes after President Donald Trump ordered the removal of all U.S. attorneys who were appointed during the Biden administration.

In a social media post announcing the move, Trump stated:
“Over the past four years, the Department of Justice has been politicized like never before. Therefore, I have instructed the termination of ALL remaining ‘Biden Era’ U.S. Attorneys. We must ‘clean house’ IMMEDIATELY and restore confidence. America’s Golden Age must have a fair Justice System – THAT BEGINS TODAY!”

The Middle District of Louisiana covers nine parishes and approximately one million residents. As the region’s chief federal law enforcement officer, Leon will oversee federal prosecutions and work with local, state, and federal partners on criminal and civil cases.

“I am honored to continue my commitment to public service as Acting United States Attorney and fulfill the mission of the Department by collaboratively working with our federal, state, and local partners,” Leon said in a statement.

Leon earned her Juris Doctor from the Southern University Law Center. Prior to her appointment, she served as the First Assistant U.S. Attorney and as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Special Matters Unit.

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