BYE-DALA: Arthur Aidala Passed Over for EDNY U.S. Attorney Role
Bruce Blakeman and Joe Cairo’s MAGA Muscle Seals the Deal for Nocella
By Richard Luthmann and M. Thomas Nast
Arthur Aidala, the high-profile Brooklyn defense attorney once considered a frontrunner for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY) U.S. Attorney position, is officially out.
Instead, Long Island Judge Joseph Nocella Jr. secured the nomination, cementing Nassau County’s Bruce Blakeman and Joe Cairo as New York’s kingmakers in Trump’s post-election landscape.
Sources close to the matter say that Aidala’s Democratic registration and bipartisan entanglements proved too much for Trump’s staunch Republican allies in New York.
Aidala’s Star Power Falls Short
Arthur Aidala’s name carried significant weight. Known for defending Rudy Giuliani, Harvey Weinstein, and Roger Ailes, Aidala’s media-savvy persona and legal prowess made him an early contender.
Yet, insiders say his Democratic voter registration and ties to figures like NYC Mayor Eric Adams turned off Trump’s loyalists.
Blakeman and Cairo Flex Their Muscle
Nassau County’s GOP power brokers Bruce Blakeman and Joe Cairo played a pivotal role in elevating Judge Joseph Nocella Jr., a relative outsider, to Trump’s top prosecutor pick. Nocella’s deep ties to Nassau’s Republican machine and his judicial experience as a Long Island judge were seen as assets by Trump’s team.
Former Senator Alfonse D’Amato confirmed Cairo’s influence, saying, “Cairo went to bat for Nocella. You couldn’t get a better background. A great selection.”
Nassau County’s executive Bruce Blakeman celebrated Nocella’s selection as “a valuable asset in fighting crime and protecting the homeland.”
Blakeman recently made headlines for his delayed response to lowering flags in honor of former President Jimmy Carter. The Nassau executive ultimately honored the tradition, emphasizing the importance of measured and respectful decisions in bipartisan moments.
Supporters praised his approach, highlighting his commitment to balancing protocol with his role as a principled leader in a politically diverse county and country.
Nicole Malliotakis: NYC’s GOP Power Broker
Meanwhile, New York’s other power broker, Staten Island Representative Nicole Malliotakis, did not publicly weigh in on the EDNY selection. She is set to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago this weekend. The meeting will include discussions on tax policy, particularly the state and local tax (SALT) deduction.
Malliotakis, often described as the most powerful Republican in NYC, represents a bridge between Trump’s national agenda and the city’s local interests.
“Every dollar of federal funding passes over her desk and gets her OK,” said a well-known Manhattan Democratic consultant speaking under conditions of anonymity. “Her ass gets kissed every day by everyone on both sides of the aisle, no matter what perfume she wears.”
Who is Joseph Nocella?
Nocella’s path to becoming Trump’s EDNY pick is emblematic of Nassau County’s hard-right political shift.
Once a federal prosecutor, Nocella built a reputation for tackling organized crime, including prosecuting Lucchese crime boss Vittorio Amuso.
More recently, he has served as a judge handling lower-level cases, from family court matters to COVID-19 relief fraud.
Critics have raised concerns about his partisanship, but allies like Nassau DA Anne Donnelly defended his record.
“One thing about Joe: He certainly knows Long Island,” Donnelly said.
What’s Next for Aidala?
For Aidala, the EDNY loss stings but doesn’t signal the end. With his celebrity clientele and media presence, Aidala remains a formidable legal figure in New York.
Yet, Team Trump’s message is clear: loyalty and alignment with the MAGA movement outweigh bipartisan appeal.
As Trump continues to shape his administration, the focus will remain on power players like Blakeman, Cairo, and Malliotakis, whose influence extends beyond the EDNY. The kingmakers have spoken for now, and Aidala’s bid for Brooklyn’s top prosecutor spot ends with a definitive “Bye-Dala.”
The US Attorney offices handles complex criminal litigation. Someone who served as a Federal prosecutor is well suited for the job. Aidala has handled celebrity criminal trials in state court. Also Aidala loves the limelight a bit too much. He attended CUNY law school but did pass the NY bar.