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Hamilton Spectator
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Some of Trump's loyalty-first picks for prosecutors draw opposition from senators who can block them
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump's early selections for U.S. attorneys have drawn strong pushback from Democratic senators who have considerable power to block them, setting up another fight over personnel picks from a president who places a premium on loyalty as he staffs his administration. His choices for the top prosecutors in Nevada, New York and New Jersey are opposed by Democratic senators, and at stake is the Republican president's ability to have the team he wants for positions with enormous sway over which cases and crimes are investigated and what penalties the government seeks. The power they wield was underscored this past week when the interim U.S. attorney in New Jersey, Alina Habba, announced she was charging Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., with assault after a skirmish with federal officers outside an immigration detention center in Newark. McIver has denied any wrongdoing and said the charge was 'purely political.' In the Senate, which must approve a president's nominees for U.S. attorney, at least two Democrats are prepared to invoke a decades-old custom that affords home-state senators veto power over whether a would-be federal prosecutor can be confirmed. That battle comes as Ed Martin, Trump's first choice to be the top prosecutor in the nation's capital, withdrew from consideration after both Republicans and Democrats indicated they would not support the conservative activist, who has a modest legal background and expressed support for Jan. 6 rioters. The president replaced Martin with Fox News Channel host Jeanine Pirro , a former county prosecutor and elected judge in New York who has been a longtime Trump defender on television. 'Martin was the extreme example,' said Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, the top Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. 'I think our antenna are flying high as we look at each one of these nominees.' Trump's selections for these jobs have received added scrutiny as the president has tried to assert greater control over the Justice Department and pursue a campaign of retribution . Trump picks pique Democrats' concerns In Nevada, Trump has installed a right-wing lawyer, Sigal Chattah , as the interim U.S. attorney, drawing opposition from the state's Democratic senators, Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen. Rosen has pledged to use her senatorial prerogative to unilaterally block Chattah if the administration seeks to keep Chattah beyond a 120-day interim period. In New Jersey, Democratic Sen. Cory Booker, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said he would not support Habba as the permanent U.S. attorney. She is a former Trump White House counselor and personal attorney. Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer of New York has pledged to block Trump's picks for two key prosecutor's offices in his state. Schumer did not cite concerns about the nominees but rather what he said were the president's intentions to use 'the Justice Department, the U.S. Attorney offices and law enforcement as weapons to go after his perceived enemies.' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump 'was proud to appoint Alina Habba to serve in this role, and he believes she is doing a great job cleaning up New Jersey and enforcing law and order.' The White House, in a statement, also criticized Schumer. It did not respond to questions about the Nevada prosecutor. 'Senator Schumer and his anti-law-and-order party are prioritizing politics over critical DOJ appointments, obstructing President Trump's Make America Safe Again agenda,' White House spokesperson Harrison Fields said. In response, Schumer said: 'The Justice Department should spend more time prosecuting criminals instead of going after their perceived political enemies.' Democrats consider using their 'blue slip' power to block nominees Opposition from Democratic senators usually would not matter for Trump nominees as long as most Republicans, who control the majority, are united in support. But a long-standing Senate custom, called the blue slip, allows senators to block the nominations of U.S. District Court judges, federal prosecutors and U.S. marshals from the lawmakers' home states. Republicans could decide to abandon that custom. But the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, has repeatedly indicated that he would honor blue slip objections from home-state senators over those prosecutors and judges. 'I think it gives senators a hand in choosing nominees for their state and making sure that the nominees reflect their state,' said Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., a committee member. 'I mean, I certainly used the blue slip' when Democrat Joe Biden was president. But Hawley also emphasized of the blue slip: 'I would hope it wouldn't be abused.' Democrats are alarmed at what they see as overt politicization by Justice Department prosecutors in the second Trump term. They point to Martin's interim tenure in Washington, when he demoted several senior officials who handled or oversaw cases involving the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Democrats were also concerned by the resignations of attorneys in the Southern District of New York, which had been handling a corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams before it was dismissed in April. Schumer in April announced he would withhold blue slips for two New York City-area U.S. attorneys. In Nevada, Rosen and Cortez Masto have denounced the appointment of Chattah, who describes herself on X as a '#firebrand' and 'Proud American Nationalist.' The senators cited among their concerns Chattah's past comments that the state's Black attorney general should 'should be hanging from a (expletive) crane.' Chattah also drew backlash last year for a post on X about former New York Rep. Jamaal Bowman, who is Black, calling him an 'anti-Semitic ghetto rat.' In a brief phone call, Chattah told The Associated Press that she thought she would 'probably' be nominated to the position permanently. 'We're playing it by ear,' she said, without elaborating. She did not comment on the senators' objections. Booker said he has had conversations with the White House counsel's office about the U.S. attorney post in his state. He declined to say whether he would exercise his blue slip privileges for Habba if she were nominated, but told the AP, 'I do not support her being permanent.' Habba did not respond to a message seeking comment. Habba, who became known for her frequent cable news appearances defending Trump in his legal battles and her appearances at his campaign events, had limited court experience before joining his legal team. During Trump's 2024 defamation trial in New York, she was repeatedly scolded by the judge for misstating the law and for running afoul of legal procedures. In her interim role, Habba announced last month that she has launched an investigation into New Jersey's Democratic governor, Phil Murphy, and attorney general, Matt Platkin, over the state's directive that local law enforcement should not cooperate with federal agents conducting immigration enforcement. Stephen Saltzburg, a George Washington University law school professor and former Justice Department official, said that in the past, including in Trump's first term, presidents typically picked lawyers to serve as U.S. attorneys who were members of the same political party, but that they would receive bipartisan support. But now, Saltzburg said, 'the qualifications for some of the people who are being named are simply they were loyal MAGA supporters,' referring to Trump's 'Make American Great Again' movement. Trump's administration has made clear it is willing to break down the wall that once separated the White House and Justice Department, Saltzburg said, and it appears that extends out to the U.S. attorneys' offices as well. 'There's a concern for the rule of law when everything looks like it's being dictated by the White House,' he said. ___ Associated Press writer Rio Yamat in Las Vegas contributed to this report.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
McIver charges ‘absurd': Former White House ethics lawyer
Former Obama-era White House ethics lawyer Norm Eisen called the criminal charge against Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) 'absurd' and predicted it would 'not stand' up in court. 'We've all seen that video, and it's absurd to charge a member of Congress, Representative McIver, with doing anything other than doing her job,' Eisen, a frequent critic of President Trump's administration, said in an interview Monday night on MSNBC. 'Yes, it was an intense situation. There was no crime there,' he added. Alina Habba, the interim U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, announced on Monday she is charging McIver for allegedly assaulting law enforcement while at an U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Newark earlier this month. The announcement stems from a skirmish during McIver's visit to the Delaney Hall ICE detention center earlier this month alongside fellow New Jersey Democrats, Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez, and with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D), who was arrested on a misdemeanor trespassing charge, which Habba's office also announced Monday would be dropped. McIver and allies have disputed the 'assault' characterization and argued the congresswoman would not have been granted access to the facility and given an hour-long tour of the center by administration officials had she first broken the law. The announcement Monday also marks the first time Trump's Justice Department has criminally charged a sitting lawmaker during his second term. Eisen, who has brought legal challenges against various moves by the Trump administration, slammed the federal government for pursuing the charges. 'The Department of Justice under Donald Trump and AG Pam Bondi is running amok,' he said. 'Donald Trump promised he'd be a dictator on day one. He kept going. This is the latest example.' 'No normal administration would do this, but the courts are going to have the last word with this. This will not stand,' Eisen added. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
20-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
McIver charges ‘absurd': Former White House ethics lawyer
Former Obama-era White House ethics lawyer Norm Eisen called the criminal charge against Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) 'absurd' and predicted it would 'not stand' up in court. 'We've all seen that video, and it's absurd to charge a member of Congress, Representative McIver, with doing anything other than doing her job,' Eisen, a frequent critic of President Trump's administration, said in an interview Monday night on MSNBC. 'Yes, it was an intense situation. There was no crime there,' he added. Alina Habba, the interim U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, announced on Monday she is charging McIver for allegedly assaulting law enforcement while at an U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Newark earlier this month. The announcement stems from a skirmish during McIver's visit to the Delaney Hall ICE detention center earlier this month alongside fellow New Jersey Democrats, Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez, and with Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D), who was arrested on a misdemeanor trespassing charge, which Habba's office also announced Monday would be dropped. McIver and allies have disputed the 'assault' characterization and argued the congresswoman would not have been granted access to the facility and given an hour-long tour of the center by administration officials had she first broken the law. The announcement Monday also marks the first time Trump's Justice Department has criminally charged a sitting lawmaker during his second term. Eisen, who has brought legal challenges against various moves by the Trump administration, slammed the federal government for pursuing the charges. 'The Department of Justice under Donald Trump and AG Pam Bondi is running amok,' he said. 'Donald Trump promised he'd be a dictator on day one. He kept going. This is the latest example.' 'No normal administration would do this, but the courts are going to have the last word with this. This will not stand,' Eisen added.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Unpredictable' New Jersey primary hits final stretch with Mikie Sherrill atop a bunched-up field
New Jersey Democrats' primary for governor is coming down to the final month. And while the race is still hotly contested, some candidates are signaling that they view Rep. Mikie Sherrill as the one to beat. Five of the six Democratic contenders will face off in a two-and-a-half-hour debate on Sunday, following a heated encounter earlier this week that offered a preview of the attacks that could be coming at Sherrill. Both Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka aimed barbs at the congresswoman and cast her as inexperienced and moderate, implying that they view her as an obstacle. But the race remains very fluid. Limited public polling has shown Sherrill leading the pack, with the candidates largely clustered together and within the surveys' margins of error. 'It is the most unsettled race in the 30 years that I've been working in New Jersey,' said Democratic strategist Julie Roginsky. The race is difficult to gauge because such a hotly contested primary is unusual in the state, where party bosses have wielded their power to anoint their preferred candidates. But the county parties lost the ability to give their preferred candidates advantageous positions on primary ballots when the state changed its ballot design last year, following a lawsuit from now-Sen. Andy Kim, D-N.J. 'It is extremely unpredictable,' said Fulop, one of the top contenders, who later added, 'We've never been here before.' The county parties could still impact the race, leveraging their turnout operations to boost their endorsed candidates. While Fulop and Rep. Josh Gottheimer did not seek most county endorsements, Sherrill racked up support from the most counties, including key Democratic strongholds like Essex and Middlesex. 'She's the machine candidate and perceived as the front-runner,' Fulop told NBC News. 'I don't think that's a secret.' Sherrill campaign spokesperson Sean Higgins said Fulop's characterization of the congresswoman as the political machine's candidate was 'remarkably lazy and inaccurate.' 'If you look at her track record of running races, her campaign in 2018 was harnessing and leading a wave of grassroots enthusiasm,' Higgins said in a statement, referencing Sherrill's first run for political office when she won her House seat. During their Monday debate, hosted by NJ Spotlight News, NJ PBS and WNYC, both Fulop and Baraka targeted Sherrill, accusing her of issuing vague 'platitudes' and of being too moderate. Fulop said he targeted Sherrill on Monday because he did not feel she had been adequately scrutinized, particularly as the perceived front-runner. According to video of a news conference provided by Baraka's campaign, the Newark mayor told reporters after Monday's debate, 'I don't agree that she's a progressive. I think her record shows that clearly.' Baraka also clashed with Gottheimer during the debate, who the mayor cast as too conservative. Sherrill, for her part, said during Monday's debate that she has pushed back on leaders of both parties, noting that she pushed for Trump's first impeachment and would take on Trump as governor. 'In New Jersey, [it is] making sure that we are taking him to court, pushing back against these Medicaid cuts, clawing back federal funding back to New Jersey,' she said. State Sen. John McKeon, a Sherrill supporter, suggested that attacks on Sherrill's lack of executive experience were 'people looking for soundbites.' 'It doesn't stick,' McKeon said, pointing to her experience as a Navy pilot and prosecutor as proof that she can lead the state government. 'Trenton's not an easy place to navigate, but compared to what she's done in her life, I think it will be a piece of cake.' McKeon said he welcomed any attacks on her in Sunday's debate, noting, 'She's at her best when she's challenged.' Although some Democrats view Sherrill as the top candidate in the race, it's all relative. The Democratic primary polls have shown relatively little separation between the contenders, especially compared to repeat candidate Jack Ciatterelli's advantage in the GOP primary. The Democratic race is still wide open, with a crowded field and millions of dollars blanketing the Garden State airwaves with ads ahead of the June 10 primary. 'Every one of them has a pathway to win,' said Roginsky, the Democratic strategist. Sherrill's campaign has focused on expanding her appeal to a broad coalition of voters from her House district to a statewide campaign, and she could leverage her position as the only woman in the primary. She has stressed her background and her record flipping a Republican district in 2018 and cast herself as the candidate best equipped to take on Trump. 'Voters really want someone who can beat a Republican in November,' said Higgins, the Sherrill campaign spokesperson. 'If people are looking for a winner, and we know they are, I think they'll land at the logical choice, the person who's actually done that. And that's Mikie,' Higgins later added. Fulop, who described his typical supporter as a 'pragmatic progressive,' said the party should reject establishment candidates to win in November and shouldn't be afraid to criticize Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, who cannot run for re-election due to term limits. While Democrats may want to make the race about President Donald Trump, Fulop predicted the eventual GOP nominee will make it a referendum on Murphy. He suggested the governor has not adequately combatted the state's high cost of living, transportation woes and culture of political corruption. 'The reality is that if you are, again, the establishment candidate that is defending Phil Murphy and you think you're going to get to the general election and talk about Trump and you're gonna win, you're gonna get blown out,' said Fulop, noting that Trump made gains in New Jersey last November. He lost the state by 6 points, a 10-point improvement from his margin in 2020. Fulop and Baraka have both made appeals to the party's progressive voters, and Baraka may get a boost among voters who want the party to fight Trump following his arrest last week at a federal immigration detention facility. Gottheimer, meanwhile, could run up the middle as more of a moderate candidate who has focused his messaging on affordability and lowering taxes. He has also pitched himself as a candidate with crossover appeal, defeating a Republican congressman in 2016 even as Trump narrowly carried his district. 'While the same old status quo candidates in this race take shots at each other, Josh is focused on the two biggest fights facing Jersey: fighting Donald Trump and fighting to get our costs and taxes down,' said Gottheimer campaign spokesperson Peter Optiz. 'Josh is the only candidate with a plan to cut taxes and a record of getting tough things done—that's what he'll do for Jersey families as Governor.' Former state Senate President Steve Sweeney, who has leaned on his experience in state government and lagged behind the other candidates in some public polls, could have a path as the only candidate from South Jersey, with support from some key county parties with strong turnout operations. 'Steve is kind of the person that represents that steady hand at the wheel that I think a lot of people in New Jersey would like to see, especially with so much chaos in Washington,' said Sweeney spokesperson Kerry Lyons. A sixth candidate, former Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller, did not meet the fundraising threshold that would have qualified him to accept public campaign funds and participate in the debates. But Spiller, the former head of the state's teacher's union, has benefitted from more than $8 million in ads from Working New Jersey, a super PAC tied to the New Jersey Education Association, and he could get a boost from the state's educators. Gottheimer and super PACs supporting his campaign have spent $19.4 million combined on ads so far this year, followed by Fulop and his aligned super PAC, which have spent $15 million combined, according to ad-tracking firm AdImpact. Sherrill and her aligned super PAC have spent significantly less so far, $2.9 million. Baraka and his super PAC have spent $2.7 million, and Sweeney and his super PAC have spent $2.5 million Sherrill's lower spending so far was a strategic decision by the campaign, which opted to hold its money until the final weeks, when it believed voters would be tuning into the race. Fundraising reports filed earlier this week showed Sherrill's campaign had $4.7 million in its account as of May 9, more than twice as much as the next-closest candidate. From Friday through the June 10 primary, Sherrill has reserved the most airtime of any candidate so far, nearly $1.8 million. Her allied super PAC, One Giant Leap PAC, has reserved $922,000. Even with the millions of dollars already spent, candidates have mostly stuck to positive messaging — though Sweeney did launch a TV ad last month that knocked 'weak' Democrats and showed images of Sherrill, Gottheimer and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., without mentioning them by name. It remains to be seen exactly how, when or even if the attacks will ramp up. But each of the candidates is looking for a way to break away from the pack with just a few weeks to go. This article was originally published on
The Hill
24-02-2025
- Business
- The Hill
Booker: Trump ‘going after critical jobs' to ‘save pennies'
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) Sunday accused President Trump of 'going after critical jobs to save pennies,' saying he is doing so to 'give big tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans.' 'He's going after critical jobs to save pennies in order to give himself more room to give big tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans and the wealthiest corporations,' Booker said on MSNBC's 'Meet the Press.' Booker said while former Presidents Clinton and Obama closed the annual deficit, Trump created 'the biggest gulfs.' 'He is a profligate spender,' the New Jersey Democrat said of Trump. 'And he does it all to give tax cuts to the wealthiest.' Booker added that the biggest economic piece of legislation that Trump passed led to 'a massive deficit' in order to give tax cuts to the wealthy 'and our corporations who are doing well and don't need that kind of tax cut.' Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency, have introduced several initiatives aimed at reducing the federal workforce, implementing various strategies to terminate employees. These steps have faced legal challenges. Meanwhile, Trump endorsed the House Republicans' plan last week to move a bill that would combine immigration and energy policies with $4.5 trillion in tax cuts. A large part of that cost, per the GOP's budget blueprint, would be offset by reductions in Medicaid spending. The GOP's budget resolution is set to be presented to the House this week. In November last year, an analysis of the tax proposals proposed by Trump found they would amount to tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans and tax increases for the majority of households. The wealthiest 1 percent would see an average tax decrease of more than $36,000 while the bulk of lower quintiles of the population would face tax increases of around $1,500, said a study conducted by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP).
