Jennifer Puhl ’00 named interim US attorney for North Dakota
Veteran federal prosecutor has been sworn in as the interim U.S. attorney for North Dakota.
Jennifer Puhl took the oath of office Friday in Fargo. She is the first woman to hold the position of U.S. attorney in North Dakota.
“I’m a placeholder,” Puhl said. “It’s our job to run this office until the (presidential) administration gets a U.S. attorney in place.”
Wrigley, who is now attorney general for North Dakota, hired Puhl in 2002. He said the U.S. Attorney’s Office is in “very capable hands” with Puhl at the helm. He appointed her to the role of criminal chief in 2019.
“She’s remarkably intelligent and courageous, fearless in her ethical application of her skills,” Wrigley said. “She’s a gifted and hardworking person.”
Puhl said that even after 20 years in the U.S. Attorney’s Office she’s still “amazed by the commitment” of the employees. She hopes to continue progress in what she called a long tradition of prosecuting violent crimes in Indian Country, civil rights violations, internet crimes and drug trafficking.
“I believe I work alongside the most talented group of attorneys in the state,” Puhl said. “They’re committed to the pursuit of justice.”