David Waterman, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa, delivered remarks after his formal swearing in on Dec. 12.
DES MOINES, Iowa — The state of Iowa is entering 2026 equipped with a pair of confirmed and formally sworn-in U.S. Attorneys — for the first time since 2021.
After each of Iowa’s two U.S. Attorneys resigned in early 2021 at the conclusion of Trump’s last term, the state had been without confirmed attorneys until Leif Olson and David Waterman were confirmed in October 2025 as attorney’s for the state’s northern and southern districts, respectfully.
Both were formally sworn into their positions ahead of New Year’s Day; Olson on Oct. 20 and Waterman on Dec. 12.
Olson and Waterman were preceded by Timothy T. Duax who served the Northern District of Iowa, and Richard D. Westphal who served the Southern District of Iowa.
During his swearing in ceremony, Waterman delivered remarks.
Opening with a joke about Iowa weather, he moved to tell of how in 1873, then-president Ulysses S. Grant appointed James T. Lane as the United States District Attorney for Iowa.
Waterman talked of how Lane helped build a Davenport law firm that eventually carried the name Lane & Waterman — where David Waterman himself later worked as an attorney.
“As I formally assume the office once held by James T. Lane, I do so with gratitude for that history and with a firm resolve to honor it through excellence, integrity, and service,” he said.
Looking ahead, Waterman asked his peers to “let us recommit ourselves to the principles that brought us to public service.”
The principles he listed were as follows:
- To do the right thing;
- In the right way; and
- For the right reasons.
Closing his speech, Waterman said:
I am even grateful for the obstacles in my own confirmation process over the past three-plus years. They made me a better lawyer, a stronger leader, and, I hope, a more grounded person. They reminded me that God’s timing may not align with our timing—but it is always right.
Surrounded by family, friends, mentors, and colleagues, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this district and for the trust placed in this office. Together, let us pursue justice with courage and conviction.
God bless you, and God bless the United States of America. Thank you for your time.
To read Waterman’s full speech, click here.
