The Senate took a significant step forward on Thursday in its plans to confirm U.S. attorney nominees who lack prosecutorial experience and have promoted false claims about the 2020 presidential election being stolen from Donald Trump. This has raised alarms that these individuals may have been selected to target Trump's political adversaries.
Procedural Vote Advances Nominees
Senators held a procedural vote to begin debate on a package containing over a dozen of Trump's nominations for federal attorney positions. This action initiates up to 30 hours of debate, followed by additional procedural votes and ultimately a confirmation vote on the entire group. Typically, U.S. attorney nominees do not face the same level of public scrutiny as judicial nominees, as their terms are limited to the president's tenure rather than life appointments, and their jurisdiction is restricted to their respective states. However, these roles carry substantial power, as they decide whom to prosecute with the full authority of the federal government and on what grounds.
Controversial Nominees Under Scrutiny
Among the nominees is Darin Smith, Trump's pick for U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming, who is already serving in an acting capacity. A former Republican state legislator, Smith participated in the protests at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, though he claims he did not enter the building. Despite practicing law for 25 years, Smith has never tried a single case in federal or state courts, with his background primarily in estate planning. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Smith on the Senate floor, stating, "Smith was present at the Capitol on Jan. 6, and now Trump wants him to uphold law and order. What hypocrisy. What fakery. How disgusting."
Another nominee, Phillip Williams, is up for a U.S. attorney post in the Northern District of Alabama. Like Smith, Williams has never tried a criminal case. He has previously criticized federal law enforcement for "hunting down" January 6 rioters and accused them of "prosecutorial abuse, many, many times over," comparing their actions to the Salem witch trials. Williams, who formerly led a conservative radio network called Rightside Media, has also described abortion as "nothing more than industrialized slaughter."
Dan Bishop, a former Republican congressman nominated for a U.S. attorney post in North Carolina, voted to overturn the 2020 presidential election and has suggested that "the left" participated in and instigated the violence on January 6.
Concerns Over Political Weaponization
Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut and former U.S. attorney, expressed strong opposition to the nominees. "I have voted against all of the U.S. attorney nominees because none of them has shown me that they will stand up to Donald Trump and the Department of Justice that has been weaponized to go after his political adversaries," he said. "They've been chosen to be tools for the 'Department of Injustice.' I am just angry, embarrassed, ashamed about this department."
Republicans control the Senate, and none have publicly raised concerns about the nominees. They are expected to pass the package once procedural steps are completed. The Senate recessed on Thursday until May 11, so confirmations will occur after that.
Republican Reactions
When asked about the nominees, some Republican senators seemed indifferent. Senator John Cornyn stated, "I assume all that's gonna be vetted" during the 30 hours of debate. Senator Thom Tillis defended Bishop, calling it "believable" that progressives may have been involved in the January 6 violence. Regarding Smith, Tillis remarked, "If you want somebody like that presiding over cases solely in that state, knock yourself out. They want 'em, they can have 'em."
