WASHINGTON, D.C. – Following the unprecedented political prosecution of Donald J. Trump by President Biden’s Department of Justice, Senator JD Vance (R-OH) issued the following statement regarding his intent to hold all future nominations to the DOJ:
“Donald Trump is merely the latest victim of a Department of Justice that cares more about politics than law enforcement. Merrick Garland’s department harasses Christians for pro-life advocacy, but allows hardened criminals to walk our streets unpunished. This must stop, and I will do everything in my ability to ensure it does,” said Senator Vance. “Starting today, I will hold all Department of Justice nominations. If Merrick Garland wants to use these officials to harass Joe Biden’s political opponents, we will grind his department to a halt.”
Background:
- Senator Vance’s hold on DOJ nominations will not apply to individuals nominated to the U.S. Marshals Service
- Senator Vance’s hold will prevent the Senate from quickly approving President Biden’s nominees by unanimous consent, as the Senate often does. Instead, nominees to the Department of Justice will require a floor vote in order to be confirmed by the Senate, which could make these nominations more difficult to approve.
- Senator Vance’s hold on DOJ nominations comes in the wake of multiple reports of the DOJ improperly targeting conservatives:
- New York Post: States sue Biden admin over FBI surveillance of parents protesting school boards (Mar. 4, 2022)
- Fox News: DOJ, FBI targeting Catholics as ‘violent extremists’ under scrutiny by state AGs (Feb. 10, 2023)
- Washington Examiner: Vandalized pregnancy centers cry for justice one year after Dobbs leak (May 2, 2023)
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