India, July 24 -- A newly sworn-in US attorney who was removed by the Trump administration just 54 minutes after taking office has launched a legal challenge, setting up what could become a major test of presidential authority over federal prosecutors.

Roger Rogoff, who was selected to serve as the US attorney for the Western District of Washington, filed a lawsuit arguing that the administration did not have the legal authority to remove him from the position.

Rogoff was appointed last week after a panel of federal judges, including both Democratic and Republican appointees, unanimously chose him to fill the vacant role. Shortly after he was sworn in, however, the Trump administration dismissed him.

The lawsuit is believed to be the f...