Timothy J. Downing Sworn in as United States Attorney

OKLAHOMA CITY – Timothy J. Downing has taken the oath of office as United States Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma.  Chief U.S. District Judge Joe Heaton administered the oath this morning in chambers so Mr. Downing could take up his duties immediately.  A formal investiture will be announced at a later date.

President Trump nominated Mr. Downing as U.S. Attorney on March 5.  After passing through the Senate Judiciary Committee on May 9, the full Senate confirmed him by voice vote on May 23.  The President signed his commission yesterday.

As the United States Attorney, Mr. Downing is the chief federal law enforcement officer responsible for all federal criminal prosecutions and civil litigation involving the United States in the Western District of Oklahoma, which the largest of three judicial districts in Oklahoma and includes 40 of the state’s 77 counties. 

Prior to his appointment as United States Attorney, Mr. Downing served as Counselor to the Oklahoma Secretary of State.  From 2016 to 2018, he served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, where he was an Assistant Majority Floor Leader, an Assistant Majority Whip, and Vice-Chair of the Judiciary Committee.  From 2011 to 2016, Mr. Downing was an Assistant Attorney General for Oklahoma, where he represented the State of Oklahoma in criminal appeals, was a member of the Opinion Conference, and was Director of Legislative Affairs.  Since 2011, Mr. Downing has also served as a Judge Advocate in the United States Army Reserve.  From 2013 to 2014, he served in this capacity as a Special Assistant United States Attorney at Fort Hood, Texas, working with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Texas. 

Mr. Downing received his Juris Doctor from Regent University School of Law, his Master of Management from Oral Roberts University, and his B.A. in Public Affairs and Administration from the University of Oklahoma.

Mr. Downing takes the reins from First Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester, who led the office as Acting U.S. Attorney from February to August of 2018 and continued to run the office after August 2018 with the title of First Assistant.  Mr. Troester will continue to have an important leadership role under Mr. Downing.

"Ensuring public safety and the fair and impartial administration of justice are sacred duties," said U.S. Attorney Downing.  "It is an honor to join the team of exceptional men and women serving in the Western District of Oklahoma."