In 2022, he was confirmed to the position by the United States Senate after being nominated by President Joe Biden.

In May 2021, his name was among five lawyers who was submitted to the White House by senators Tammy Baldwin and Ron Johnson.

[4] On June 6, 2022, President Joe Biden nominated Haanstad to be the United States attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.

[5] On July 28, 2022, his nomination was reported out of the Senate Judiciary Committee by a voice vote.

[6] On September 13, 2022, his nomination was confirmed in the United States Senate by voice vote.