Key Facts

• James M. McDonald is currently a partner at the law firm Sullivan & Cromwell.
• McDonald worked as a federal prosecutor and served in financial regulation and White House counsel roles under previous administrations.
• He is part of President Trump's legal team handling Trump's appeal of felony convictions related to hush money payments.
• The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York is a major Justice Department position overseeing cases like terrorism, fraud, and corruption.
• McDonald helped secure the dropping of a fraud case against billionaire Gautam Adani, which began under the Biden administration.
• Jay Clayton was nominated by Trump to be director of national intelligence, opening the U.S. Attorney position.
• The U.S. Attorney’s office in Manhattan publicly supports McDonald’s appointment.
• Trump’s announcement responds to increased pressure to fill leadership roles in intelligence agencies after recent resignations.