§ 546. Vacancies

• (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the Attorney General may appoint a United States attorney for the district in which the office of United States attorney is vacant.
• (b) The Attorney General shall not appoint as United States attorney a person to whose appointment by the President to that office the Senate refused to give advice and consent.
• (c) A person appointed as United States attorney under this section may serve until the earlier of—
  • (1) the qualification of a United States attorney for such district appointed by the President under section 541 of this title ; or
  • (2) the expiration of 120 days after appointment by the Attorney General under this section.
• (d) If an appointment expires under subsection (c)(2), the district court for such district may appoint a United States attorney to serve until the vacancy is filled. The order of appointment by the court shall be filed with the clerk of the court.