Biden nominates Trina Higgins to become first female U.S. Attorney for Utah

The Utah State Capitol building in Salt Lake City. Photo: TownLift // Bailey Edelstein

WASHINGTON, D.C. — After recommendations from Utah Senators, Mitt Romney and Mike Lee, President Joe Biden has announced the nomination of Trina Higgins to serve as a U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah.

Higgins, a graduate of the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Utah since 2002. During her time in office, Ms. Higgins has also held numerous other positions such as Special Counsel to Litigative Programs from 2017 to 2021, Senior Litigation Counsel from 2015 to 2017, Violent Crime Section Chief from 2008 to 2015, and Tribal Liaison from 2005 to 2015. She also served as Deputy District Attorney in the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office from 1995 to 2002.

“After reviewing her record and qualifications, and meeting with her personally, it is clear that Trina Higgins is exceptionally qualified to serve as U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah,” Senator Romney said. “For the last two decades, she has served Utah in the U.S. Attorney’s Office as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, where she has held several positions including Special Counsel to Litigative Programs, Violent Crime Section Chief, and Tribal Liaison. I have full confidence that Trina will serve Utah and our country with honor and integrity, and I look forward to supporting her nomination when it comes before the Senate.”

“Trina Higgins is a fantastic choice to be the next United States Attorney for the District of Utah,” Senator Lee added. “I had the honor of working with Trina during a part of her nearly two decades in the U.S. Attorney’s office. In our interactions, she always proved herself to be a dedicated, disciplined prosecutor. Her integrity and commitment will serve the people of Utah well in her new role as she continues to uphold the rule of law.”

Higgins is one of 43 individuals nominated to serve as a U.S. Attorney. According to a statement from the White House, “These individuals were chosen for their devotion to enforcing the law, their professionalism, their experience and credentials in this field, their dedication to pursuing equal justice for all, and their commitment to the independence of the Department of Justice.”

Higgins will now await a confirmation by the U.S. senate and if appointed, would be the first woman to serve as a U.S. Attorney for Utah, effectively replacing current interim U.S. Attorney Andrea Martinez.