United States Attorney Chris Kavanaugh has announced he will resign from his position at the end of the year. The announcement comes as his wife, Jasmine Hyejung Yoon, is set to begin her service as a United States District Court Judge in September.
In a statement, Kavanaugh said: “Today, I am announcing my plans to resign from my position as United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia effective at year’s end, following the commencement of my wife Jasmine Hyejung Yoon’s service as a United States District Court Judge this September. During this brief period of overlap, any cases in which the United States is a party, including all criminal matters, will be assigned to the other judges within the Western District of Virginia in accordance with the Court’s standing order for assignment of cases.”
He continued: “Serving as United States Attorney has been the highlight of my professional life. I am grateful to President Biden, Attorney General Merrick Garland, Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, and Senators Warner and Kaine for the opportunity to serve as the chief federal law enforcement official for the Western District of Virginia, and to lead an Office full of public servants dedicated to the rule of law and the pursuit of justice.”
Kavanaugh has held his role since October 2021. In that time, he supervised investigations and prosecutions involving federal crimes and managed civil litigation where the United States had an interest across 52 counties and 17 independent cities in Virginia.
Beyond his work as U.S. Attorney, Kavanaugh serves on several committees and working groups within the Department of Justice. He is a member of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee (AGAC), chairs its National Security Subcommittee, co-chairs the Domestic Terrorism Executive Committee, and participates in the Corporate Crime Enforcement Policy Working Group. Before becoming U.S. Attorney, he was Senior Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General and served for 14 years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in both Charlottesville and Washington, D.C.
