Father administers oath in same room where son was sworn into federal bar two decades ago

By Robert Layton

EDENTON — With his father presiding and his family watching, W. Ellis Boyle was sworn in Friday as the confirmed United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina in the 1767 Chowan County Courthouse — the same colonial-era courtroom where he took his first oath as a federal attorney more than 20 years ago.

U.S. District Court Judge Terrence W. Boyle, Ellis’s father, administered the oath, calling the ceremony an opportunity to celebrate both the office and its deep roots in Edenton itself.

“In 2005, Ellis passed the bar, and he was sworn in by me to the federal court here in this very room,” Judge Boyle told those gathered. “He has also been appointed by the president and confirmed by the United States Senate as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina.”

A gallery of photos by the story’s author, Robert Layton, appears at the end of this story.

The moment carried particular historical weight. Judge Boyle noted that John Sitgreaves, appointed by President Washington in 1789, was likely among the first to hold the office of United States Attorney in the same building. “The first United States Attorney was probably right where you’re sitting now in this room,” he said.

The Senate confirmed Boyle 46-to-43 on May 18 as part of a broader package of 48 Trump administration nominees. Boyle had been serving in an interim capacity since August 2025, when then-Attorney General Pamela Bondi first appointed him to the role.

After taking the oath, Ellis Boyle addressed the assembled family members, law enforcement partners, and community supporters with characteristic candor.

“I certainly don’t feel worthy of the office,” he said. “I’m filling big shoes — not only with my father, but with Tom Ellis and all of the family history that comes before me. I don’t think you ever deserve a job like this, but you’ve got to try to earn it once you get it. And that’s my main promise to you.”

Boyle acknowledged the scope of the challenge ahead. The Eastern District encompasses 44 counties and is one of the largest federal judicial districts in the country by county count. As U.S. Attorney, he oversees 119 employees, including 58 attorneys.

“We have a lot of crime. We’ve got a lot of bad guys that we need to get and to keep America safe,” Boyle said. “I will do my darnedest to work with our law enforcement partners and the good citizens of the Eastern District of North Carolina to make that happen.”

He praised the district’s character — “beaches, wonderful farmland, gorgeous cities, small towns like Edenton that are just perfect beyond measure” — and called it “God’s country.”

Boyle closed by congratulating his father on 42 years on the bench and thanking his wife, Samantha, and their children. Judge Boyle offered a final charge to those present.

“It’s a heavy burden that is taken on,” he said. “Please share with him your prayers for a safe and successful office.”

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The author of this story, Robert Layton, is a senior at John A Holmes High School, Class of 2026, and he has been admitted to the Virginia Military Institute.