New Trump Appointed U.S. Attorney Says He’ll Make North Florida the ‘Safest Place in America’
John P. “Jack” Heekin, once responsible for advising on death penalty cases in Florida, now holds the reins as the top federal prosecutor for the state’s northern region. Sworn in this morning by Chief District Judge Mark E. Walker, Heekin becomes the 42nd U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida—a post that puts him in charge of federal law enforcement across 23 counties, stretching from Escambia to Alachua.
A staunch conservative with deep ties to high-ranking Republican figures, Heekin’s rise marks a powerful shift in one of Florida’s most consequential legal offices. He was tapped by Attorney General Pam Bondi on May 6, 2025, and nominated by former President Donald J. Trump that same day—solidifying what many view as a continuation of the GOP’s tough-on-crime agenda in the Sunshine State.
“I am deeply honored to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida,” Heekin said following the ceremony. “Together, we will fulfill the commitment to public safety advanced by President Trump and Attorney General Bondi—and we will make North Florida the safest place in America to live, work, and raise a family.”
As U.S. Attorney, Heekin now oversees the prosecution of serious federal offenses including terrorism, public corruption, human trafficking, and financial crimes, while also defending the United States in civil litigation. Offices under his command include those in Pensacola, Tallahassee, and Gainesville.
Prior to this appointment, he served as General Counsel and Deputy Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Rick Scott in Washington, D.C., where he played a pivotal role in shaping policy on the judiciary, immigration, and criminal justice. During Scott’s time as Governor of Florida, Heekin also acted as Chief Deputy General Counsel and later as Deputy Chief of Staff—where he not only supervised multiple state law enforcement agencies but personally oversaw the execution of death warrants for inmates on Florida’s death row.
Heekin also served as Executive Clemency Advisor to the governor and held legal authority over several high-level state commissions, including those handling fiscal emergencies and land disputes. His legal career began in Palm Beach County, where he prosecuted criminal offenses as an Assistant State Attorney.
With academic credentials from Bucknell University and the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University, Heekin graduated cum laude and authored two published works on surveillance law and cognitive disabilities under the ADA.
He is a member of several prestigious legal and political organizations, including the U.S. Supreme Court Bar, the Federalist Society, and the Republican National Lawyers Association.
Heekin succeeds Michelle Spaven, who served as Acting U.S. Attorney earlier this year and will remain with the office as First Assistant U.S. Attorney.
His primary office will be located in Tallahassee, where he now stands at the center of one of the most powerful legal roles in the federal system—backed by political heavyweights and a prosecutorial past that includes life-and-death decisions.
