Adam Gordon was sworn in as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California, one of the country's busiest federal districts. The appointment was made by Attorney General Pamela Bondi, and the oath was administered by U.S. District Court Chief Judge Cynthia A. Bashant.
Gordon expressed gratitude for his appointment by saying, “Thank you to President Trump and Attorney General Bondi for the opportunity to serve as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of California.”
He outlined his objectives, stating, “I am deeply honored to lead this office and protect the people of this district. For too long, criminal organizations have exploited the chaos at our border. That chaos of criminality and lack of consequences cannot prevail. Together with our dedicated law enforcement partners, we will focus our resources on the Operation Take Back America priorities including securing the border, prosecuting cartel leaders, and removing dangerous offenders from our communities.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office in this district enforces federal criminal laws around San Diego and Imperial counties and represents the federal government in civil litigation. The office employs around 300 attorneys and staff members. As the U.S. Attorney, Gordon is the chief federal law enforcement official for the district.
With a background as a career prosecutor, Gordon has served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the district since 2019, most recently in the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces Unit. He also served as the office’s Criminal Division Opioid Coordinator.
Gordon was pivotal in the creation of the Fentanyl Abatement and Suppression Team (FAST) in San Diego County in September 2022. FAST, now a national model, targets significant fentanyl distributors and aims to reduce overdose deaths in collaboration with various agencies. Gordon has prosecuted many cases involving fentanyl-related deaths, including one involving a 13-year-old victim in Coronado.
Before becoming a federal prosecutor, Gordon worked as a Deputy District Attorney in San Diego County, focusing on violent crimes. He also has private practice experience and holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard University (2004) and a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law (2008).