Thomas E. Wheeler II was sworn in as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana on March 11, according to an announcement from the office. The ceremony was conducted by United States District Court Judge James P. Hanlon.
Wheeler’s appointment follows his nomination by President Donald J. Trump and confirmation by the United States Senate on December 18, 2025. Before this confirmation, Wheeler served as Interim United States Attorney for the district.
“I am honored to work alongside the dedicated public servants of this office, whose commitment to justice and service to our communities sets the highest standard. It is a privilege to once again serve the people of my home state of Indiana and to continue building on the relationships I’ve developed throughout my career,” said Wheeler. “I deeply value the longstanding partnerships among federal, state, and local law enforcement, and I look forward to strengthening those relationships that have supported our shared mission for so many years. In this role I will focus our efforts on the Department of Justice’s core priority of reducing violent crime, while also continuing to lead national initiatives that protect taxpayer‑funded research at colleges and universities from theft by foreign adversaries and to safeguard children from online exploitation and threats to school safety as Chair of the Federal School safety Task Force.”
As chief federal law enforcement officer in the district, Wheeler will oversee an office with about 45 Assistant United States Attorneys and 32 support professionals responsible for criminal prosecutions, civil litigation, and public safety across approximately two-thirds of Indiana.
The investiture ceremony took place at the Indiana War Memorial with attendance from state and federal judges, law enforcement leaders, attorneys, and government officials nationwide. Speakers included Mick Zais (Brigadier USA Retired), Nicholas Kent (Under Secretary of Education), Stanley E. Woodward Jr. (Associate Attorney General), and Chaplin Ron May (Commander USN Retired).
Wheeler previously served as Acting General Counsel for the U.S. Department of Education and has held roles such as Acting Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the Department of Justice. His experience includes serving as Senior Adviser to the White House Federal Commission on School Safety and Senior Counsel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
