Rising Concerns Surround Attorney General Bondi’s Selection for Arizona District Attorney

By Staff Reporter |

Legal experts are raising alarms following Attorney General Pam Bondi’s appointment of Timothy Courchaine as the Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona. The Justice Department confirmed Courchaine’s swearing-in on Monday, opting for an internal candidate with nearly five years of experience as an assistant U.S. attorney.

This appointment follows the removal of former U.S. Attorney Gary Restaino, who held the position since November 2021 under President Joe Biden. Restaino’s tenure was widely criticized for a lack of output and impact.

An insider from the Arizona legislature shared concerns with AZ Free News, suggesting that Courchaine’s promotion would perpetuate existing issues within the office rather than initiate necessary reforms. “The U.S. attorney’s office here in Arizona has earned a reputation for being ineffective and deliberately so. You cannot clean it up from the inside,” the source stated. “You must have someone come in and see just what a mess it is.”

The sentiment echoes a broader critique of the Department of Justice, particularly within the context of cleaning house as ordered by former President Donald Trump. Last week, Trump reiterated on social media his stance on the DOJ’s politicization, calling for the termination of all remaining Biden-era U.S. Attorneys.

Courchaine’s background includes clerking for Arizona Supreme Court Justice William Montgomery and serving as a special projects manager for the Arizona Attorney General’s Office. He also held the rank of captain in the Marine Corps as a judge advocate.

In his role as interim U.S. Attorney, Courchaine is responsible for overseeing federal prosecutions and civil litigation across Arizona, managing a staff of approximately 350. This includes significant work on cases involving Indigenous communities, as well as border crimes linked to Mexican drug cartels.

As potential candidates for the permanent position emerge, names being discussed include Tim La Sota, Dennis Wilinchek, Jennifer Wright, Anthony Martin, James Rogers, and former Arizona Supreme Court Justice Andrew Gould.