Idaho legislator selected to serve as state’s next US attorney after Davis retires

An Idaho legislator has been tapped as the state’s next U.S. attorney for the District of Idaho after former U.S. Attorney Bart Davis announced his retirement earlier this month.

U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche appointed Rep. John Shirts, R-Weiser, as U.S. attorney for the District of Idaho, effective Sunday, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice. Shirts was sworn in Sunday by U.S. Chief District Judge Amanda K. Brailsford in a private ceremony, the release said.

Idaho US Attorney Bart Davis announces retirement from Justice Department

“I am honored to serve as Idaho’s next U.S. Attorney,” Shirts said in the DOJ release. “Our office will remain focused  on upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of citizens by prosecuting terrorism, drug trafficking, violent crime, human trafficking, illegal immigration offenses, and fraud. The safety of Idahoans and their communities is paramount. Those who commit federal crimes in our state will be held accountable and brought to justice.” 

Shirts, who ran against a GOP primary election opponent in May and won with 75% of the vote, is running unopposed in the Nov. 3 general election. The DOJ press release did not mention whether Shirts has stepped down from his Idaho House seat, but the deadline has passed to remove his name from the general election ballot, a spokesman from the Idaho Secretary of State’s Office confirmed.

As U.S. attorney, Shirts is considered the top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the state. The position has prosecutorial responsibility over Idaho’s 44 counties, encompassing more than 83,000 square miles and a population of nearly 1.5 million people.

He leads three staffed offices located in Boise, Coeur d’Alene and Pocatello with 65 employees, including 33 attorneys. The  office is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district, including crimes related to immigration, terrorism, public corruption, child exploitation, firearms and narcotics. The office also defends the United States in civil cases and collects debts owed to the United States.

John Shirts is a University of Idaho grad, former law clerk and former US Air Force JAG officer

Shirts is a fifth-generation Idahoan who grew up in Weiser, according to the press release. He represented Legislative District 9 and served as the vice chairman of the House’s Agricultural Affairs Committee.

From 2018 to 2024, Shirts served as an assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Idaho, prosecuting criminal cases in the Pocatello and Boise offices. 

Shirts was raised and worked on his family’s ranch, according to the press release. His great-great-grandfather homesteaded in Washington County in the 1880s.

Shirts attended Weiser High School and attended the University of Idaho, the press release said. After college, he graduated from the University of Colorado Law School. Shirts then clerked for Jonathan P. Brody, an Idaho district court judge in Rupert.

Following his clerkship, Shirts earned a commission in the U.S. Air Force as a JAG officer. During his active-duty service, he served in Korea as an adviser to the 51st Fighter Wing on Osan Air Base, according to the press release.

Later appointed to the Air Force’s Special Victims Unit, he prosecuted sexual assault cases at 30 Air Force bases around the world, from Germany to Hawaii. His military decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Korean Defense Service Medal. After leaving active service to join the U.S. Attorney’s Office, he continued to serve as a prosecutor in the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

Shirts is married to Mercedes Shirts, a high school teacher.