India, Aug. 22 -- John Sarcone Appointment Ruling: A legal fight over who can wield federal prosecutorial power in New York has now reached another major turning point. A divided federal appeals court ruled that John Sarcone, the Trump administration's choice to lead the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of New York, was not lawfully serving as acting U.S. attorney.

The 2-1 decision by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling that had already questioned Sarcone's authority and barred him from pursuing an investigation involving New York Attorney General Letitia James.

The ruling also adds to a growing series of court decisions challenging the Trump administration's method of installing acting US att...