President Donald Trump has selected Dan Bishop, currently serving as Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget, to assume the position of U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina. Senior White House officials confirmed the appointment, which could take effect as early as next week on an interim basis pending Senate confirmation.
Bishop, who represented North Carolina in Congress from 2019 until his recent appointment to OMB, brings substantial credentials to the position. The Senate confirmed him to his current role earlier this year in a 53-45 vote, demonstrating bipartisan recognition of his qualifications for executive branch service.
The appointment comes at a critical juncture for the Department of Justice, which has faced sustained criticism regarding its enforcement priorities and internal culture. Bishop has been particularly outspoken about necessary reforms within the department’s Civil Rights Division, a unit that has drawn scrutiny for what critics describe as politically selective enforcement patterns.
During his congressional tenure, Bishop served on the House Judiciary Committee and the Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. That assignment placed him at the center of investigations into allegations of federal overreach during the previous administration. The subcommittee examined numerous cases that raised constitutional concerns, including the FBI’s classification of parents attending school board meetings as potential domestic security threats.
Bishop has articulated concerns about inconsistent enforcement practices within federal agencies. He has noted disparities in how federal prosecutors have approached cases involving protests at abortion facilities versus incidents at pregnancy counseling centers. He has also questioned the use of pattern and practice investigations that he believes have undermined effective law enforcement in some jurisdictions while ignoring enforcement failures in others.
The incoming U.S. Attorney’s background suggests he will prioritize restoring what the administration views as balanced enforcement of federal law. His legislative record indicates particular interest in election integrity measures, protection of free speech rights, and opposition to what he considers ideologically driven policies within federal agencies.
Bishop’s appointment aligns with broader administration efforts to reshape the Justice Department’s approach to civil rights enforcement, Title IX regulations, and other contentious policy areas. His experience investigating alleged abuses during the previous administration provides him with detailed knowledge of the issues he will now confront from within the executive branch.
The Middle District of North Carolina encompasses a significant portion of the state, including major population centers and diverse communities. The position carries responsibility for prosecuting federal crimes, defending the United States in civil litigation, and representing federal interests in the district’s courts.
As a former member of Congress with recent Senate confirmation, Bishop enters the role with established relationships on Capitol Hill and demonstrated ability to navigate the confirmation process. His background in both legislative and executive branch service provides a foundation for the prosecutorial responsibilities he is about to assume.
The appointment represents another step in the administration’s effort to place officials with specific reform mandates in key Justice Department positions throughout the country.
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