RALEIGH — Former North Carolina Republican Congressman Dan Bishop has assumed the role of the U.S. Attorney for the state’s Middle District Court following an appointment by U.S Attorney General Pam Bondi on Wednesday.
“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 press release.
The Middle District is headquartered in Greensboro and spans “24 counties in the central part of the state. The district stretches from the Virginia and South Carolina borders, covering the areas from Durham County to Yadkin County. Approximately 3 million people live in the Middle District of North Carolina.”
“I’m most grateful to President (Donald) Trump and Attorney General Bondi for this additional opportunity to serve, and I’m thrilled to be home,” said Bishop. “The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of North Carolina is going to break new ground in effective service to the law, the Department of Justice, and the President of the United States.”
The Middle District is the court handling the now-high profile federal charges against Decarlos Brown, the man accused of murdering Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s light rail system in August.
Bishop had been serving as deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). He was confirmed 53-45 for that role by the Senate earlier this year on Mar. 26.
The Federalist first broke the news on Nov. 5 that Trump was considering Bishop for the post. The House Freedom Caucus posted the article, writing Bishop is a “superb nomination” by the president.
Ahead of the formal announcement, Bishop gave a confirmation of sorts that the was moving into the role by responding with thanks to Congressman Pat Harrigan’s post on X congratulating him on the nomination.
Prior to joining OMB, Bishop ran unsuccessfully in 2024 for North Carolina attorney general, losing to Democrat Jeff Jackson by less than 3% of the vote.
Bishop was a congressman for North Carolina from 2019 up through announcing his 2024 bid for state attorney general. He represented Mecklenburg County in the North Carolina House (2015-17) as well as in the state Senate (2017-19). Bishop also served as a Mecklenburg County commissioner (2005-09).
The 61-year-old Bishop is an attorney with 30 years of legal experience with a law degree and business administration degrees from UNC Chapel Hill.
Bishop takes over for U.S. Attorney for the state’s Middle District Court Clifton Barrett. He was sworn in this past July 22 and had been appointed by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi the day prior. Barrett first joined the Middle District in 1994 as an assistant U.S. attorney.
