The Trump administration fired U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino this week.
Restiano, appointed by former President Joe Biden, can be removed from his position in Arizona since he is a presidential appointee. The current president has the authority to decide whether to keep or dismiss him.
The attorney said getting the chance to lead the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona was “energizing.”
“I am grateful to President Biden for the appointment, to Senators (Mark) Kelly and (Kyrsten) Sinema for their support of my nomination, and to Attorney General Garland for his stewardship of the Department of Justice,” Restiano said in a statement. Merrick Garland served as the U.S. attorney general during the Biden administration.
“And most of all I am thankful for our people here in Arizona – the dedicated prosecutors, victim advocates and administrative professionals at the United States Attorney’s Office,” Restiano added.
Restiano took over this position after 20 years as a federal employee, including 18 years as an assistant U.S. attorney.
During his time in this position, he worked on the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee, which advised Garland on various things, including policy, procedure and management.
Furthermore, in 2022, Restiano served almost 90 days as the acting director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Some of Restiano’s accomplishments included fighting transnational criminal organizations, disrupting firearms trafficking, and prosecuting human smugglers.
While this position is filled, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Hernandez will act as the acting attorney.
Hernandez had been an assistant U.S. Attorney since 2000. She will be in charge of more than 300 employees at this office, according to the DOJ.
