President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Joseph Nocella Jr. to become U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, the Washington Examiner reported. Trump made this announcement Monday as a replacement for Breon Peace, who will step down on Jan. 10.
The district includes nearly 8 million people spread across Long Island, Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Queens. The longtime prosecutor is a strong conservative pick for Trump, a fact which will not sit well with leftists.
"It is my great honor to announce that Joseph Nocella, Jr., will be the next United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. Judge Nocella has a strong record of bringing Law and Order to the incredible people of New York, serving as a Nassau County District Court Judge, and Family Court Judge," Trump posted to Truth Social Monday night.
Trump went on to share highlights from Nocella's resume, proving he's qualified for the job. Nocelle's experience includes serving as the assistant U.S. attorney in the Eastern District of New York between 1991 and 1995.
"A proud graduate of Columbia Law School, he has also spent over ten years in private practice. Judge Nocella previously served as a law clerk to the Honorable Lawrence M. McKenna, United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York," Trump's post said.
The New York Post expounded upon this, noting that Nocella worked as the chief of staff for the Hempstead town supervisor between 2020 and 2021. He then acted as town attorney from 2021 to 2022.
In 2022, Nocella became a Nassau County District Court judge, in addition to other roles in Nassau County and Oyster Bay government. Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County Executive, lauded Trump's decision in a statement Monday.
"Thank you President Trump for making this important appointment. Joe Nocella is a seasoned prosecutor with great integrity and will be a valuable asset in fighting crime and protecting the homeland," Blakeman wrote.
Besides Nocella, Forbes shared Trump's other stellar picks he has already made right out of the gate. The most notable of his choices are cabinet members, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services and Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence.
Kennedy, who began as a Democrat before switching to Independent for his presidential primary bid, has promised to "Make America Healthy Again" in a play on Trump's famous slogan. He has promised to cast a critical eye on conventional health wisdom on food additives and vaccines.
Trump made another great pick with Gabbard, a former Congresswoman from Hawaii who left the Democratic Party to become an independent in 2022 before becoming a Republican. Finally, Trump named former campaign co-manager Susie Wiles as his chief of staff.
Wiles was responsible for the strategy that got Trump elected with popular and Electoral College votes. Fox News reported that she's promised no "drama" in the new administration. "My team and I will not tolerate backbiting, second-guessing inappropriately, or drama. These are counterproductive to the mission," Wiles promised.
One of the hallmarks of being a great leader is finding the right people to delegate to. With these picks, Trump has made it clear that he is running a tight ship with lots of diverse voices this time around.
