By Carmen Ortiz
Las Vegas — More than five months after the White House tapped Las Vegas attorney George Kelesis to be Nevada’s U.S. attorney, the nomination has yet to clear the first formal hurdle in the Senate, prolonging uncertainty over leadership at the state’s top federal prosecutor’s office.
Timeline and current status
The nomination arrived in mid-February. Since then:
- 153 days have passed without approval from the Senate Judiciary Committee.
- The office remains led in practice by Sigal Chattah, whose extended temporary service earlier this year drew legal challenges.
- Chattah’s prior 210-day acting period and related litigation set the backdrop for the February nomination.
The delay means the White House’s pick continues to wait for the first committee vote that would advance consideration to the full Senate. Kelesis has met with Nevada’s two Democratic U.S. senators, who still are reviewing his nomination under the so-called "blue slip" practice that gives home-state senators substantial influence over judicial and certain executive branch confirmations.
"A president can effectively sabotage his own nominee, or delay the consideration of his own nominee, for the purpose of taking advantage of a longer period of time," said Thomas Berry, director of the constitutional law center at the Cato Institute.
Why the delay matters in Nevada
The U.S. attorney’s office oversees federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation involving the government in Nevada. Extended uncertainty about permanent leadership can affect long-term policy priorities, staffing decisions and coordination with local law enforcement.
Legal and political observers point to several factors that can stall a nomination:
- Senate committee scheduling and priorities.
- Home-state senators’ review under the blue slip tradition.
- Potential political calculations in Washington, including timing and competing confirmations.
What we know and what remains unanswered
Public records and reporting show Kelesis is a longtime Nevada lawyer with bipartisan contributions. The White House and Kelesis did not respond to requests for comment made during reporting. Both of Nevada’s Democratic senators told reporting outlets they are still reviewing the nomination; they have not yet signaled whether they will return favorable blue slips that could allow the Judiciary Committee to move forward.
| Event | Date / detail |
|---|---|
| Nomination announced | Mid-February (White House nominated Kelesis) |
| Acting U.S. attorney previous term | 210-day temporary service for Sigal Chattah (earlier this year) |
| Days since nomination (as reported) | 153 days without committee approval |
For Nevada residents, the practical effect may be seen most clearly in which cases the U.S. attorney’s office prioritizes and how it aligns with state and local prosecutors on issues like drug enforcement, public corruption, violent crime and civil litigation involving federal agencies.
As the process continues, local officials and observers say they will watch for movement from the Senate Judiciary Committee and any public statements from the nominee or the White House that clarify the timeline. In the meantime, the interim leadership will continue day-to-day operations while the confirmation process remains pending.
If you have concerns about federal prosecutions or questions for the U.S. attorney’s office, the Department of Justice maintains contact information for the Nevada office on its website and provides guidance on submitting complaints or information about federal matters.
