U.S. Solicitor General Noel Francisco is departing from his role in the Justice Department, according to a press release on Wednesday.
Francisco, who was appointed in 2017 and represented the Trump administration in more than 150 cases before the Supreme Court, will resign, effective July 3.
“It has been the honor of my professional career to serve as the Solicitor General of the United States,” Francisco said.
“Representing the United States before the Supreme Court is one of the greatest jobs in the law and an opportunity for which I am deeply grateful. I am proud of the significant success the Office of Solicitor General has had in advancing the rule of law … in our great nation alongside the dedicated men and women at the Department of Justice — some of the finest lawyers I have known,” he added.
Attorney General William Barr praised Francisco’s record in the release, claiming he was “instrumental” to the Trump administration’s legal victories in a variety of public policy areas.
“Solicitor General Noel Francisco has represented the United States superbly before the Supreme Court for the past three terms,” Barr said. “I am grateful for his tireless service to his country and the Department of Justice, and I wish him well in his future endeavors.”
Francisco’s coming departure was reported a week ago. His announcement making it official comes one day after Assistant Attorney General Jody Hunt, the head of the Civil Division, sent an email to employees that declared his intention to step aside on July 3. Brian Benczkowski, the head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, is also stepping down.
