Bishop Takes Office as U.S. Attorney for North Carolina’s Middle District
James Bishop has assumed office as the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of North Carolina through an interim appointment by Attorney General Pam Bondi. The appointment, which took effect November 12, 2025, puts Bishop in charge of federal prosecutions across a region encompassing 24 counties and roughly 3 million residents.
“I’m eager to lead the Middle District prosecutors and staff and to forge an unprecedentedly collaborative relationship with the men and women of federal, state and local law enforcement in all its counties in order to make and keep North Carolinians safe,” Bishop said in a statement following his appointment.
The White House isn’t wasting any time making the position permanent. On December 1, 2025, the administration formally nominated Bishop for a full four-year term as U.S. Attorney, sending his name to the Senate alongside several judicial nominations, including Megan Blair Benton for U.S. District Judge in Western Missouri and Justin R. Olson for Southern Indiana.
From Budget Office to Prosecutor’s Chair
Bishop comes to the role fresh from his position as Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget, where he was confirmed by the Senate earlier this year on March 26 by a vote of 53-45. That narrow margin hints at the partisan divisions that have followed Bishop throughout his career in public service.
What’s behind Bishop’s shift from budget oversight to federal prosecution? The move represents a return to Bishop’s legal roots. Before entering politics, he spent nearly three decades as a commercial litigator handling complex cases, experience that may serve him well in his new role overseeing federal prosecutions.
Bishop’s political resume is extensive. He served in Congress from 2019 to 2025, representing districts that included portions of the Middle District. Prior to his congressional tenure, Bishop was a member of both the North Carolina House and Senate from 2015 until his election to Congress, representing a Mecklenburg district. He also served as a Mecklenburg County Commissioner from 2004 to 2008.
Looking Forward
The Middle District of North Carolina presents unique challenges and opportunities for the new U.S. Attorney. Spanning 24 counties with a population of approximately 3 million, the district requires coordination with multiple law enforcement agencies at federal, state, and local levels.
Bishop’s interim appointment allows him to begin work immediately, though his permanent confirmation will depend on Senate approval in the coming months. The close vote on his previous confirmation suggests the process might not be without controversy.
For now, Bishop seems focused on building relationships with law enforcement throughout the district’s counties. And while his career path has zigged and zagged between legal practice and various levels of government service, this latest role brings together threads from throughout his professional life — legal expertise, political savvy, and administrative experience.
Whether those skills translate into successful prosecutions and improved public safety across central North Carolina remains to be seen.
