President Donald Trump has nominated James M. McDonald to lead the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), tapping him for one of the most consequential federal prosecutorial positions in the United States. The White House announced the selection on June 13, with multiple news organizations confirming the pick the following day.

The Southern District of New York, which covers Manhattan and surrounding counties, has long been regarded as a premier federal law enforcement office due to its track record of prosecuting complex financial crimes, terrorism cases, and public corruption investigations. The appointment of a U.S. attorney to lead the office draws significant attention given its history of independence and its occasional friction with executive branch priorities.

McDonald's nomination comes as the Trump administration has been reshaping federal law enforcement leadership across the country. The SDNY post had been a subject of considerable interest, as the district has at times investigated individuals and entities connected to Trump's political orbit in prior years. Details about McDonald's specific background and prior legal career were being reported in the immediate aftermath of the announcement.

The nomination will be subject to Senate confirmation before McDonald can formally assume the role. If confirmed, he would inherit an office with a large staff of career prosecutors handling an active docket of federal criminal and civil matters. No timeline for a confirmation hearing had been announced as of the date of the nomination.