The nomination process for U.S. attorneys in North Dakota and Minnesota has reached an impasse following a hold placed by Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois. This hold affects the nominations of Nicholas Chase for North Dakota and Daniel Rosen for Minnesota, both of whom had initially garnered bipartisan support. The blockage, enacted through an instant voice vote rather than a roll call, has drawn sharp criticism from Republican senators who argue it undermines the confirmation process.
In a statement, Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota expressed outrage over the blockade, calling it “unprecedented” and a “spiteful attempt” to retaliate against supporters of former President Donald Trump. He urged for a rule change in the Senate to ensure that Trump’s nominees receive the confirmations they deserve, stating, “It’s childish; they’re petulant children.”
Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith from Minnesota provided their support for Rosen’s nomination, with Klobuchar’s spokesperson highlighting this backing. However, there was no additional comment from either senator regarding the blockade.
Durbin, who serves as the ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, defended his actions by referencing the precedent set during the Trump administration. He noted that all 85 of Trump’s U.S. attorney nominees were confirmed by voice vote. “For decades, the Senate confirmed U.S. attorneys by voice vote or unanimous consent,” Durbin stated during a recent hearing. He accused his Republican colleagues of ignoring this history and engaging in obstruction tactics similar to those they now decry.
The current hold echoes previous strategies employed by Senate Republicans during the Biden administration, including a blanket hold announced by then-Senator JD Vance of Ohio. Vance’s tactic aimed to stall all Justice Department nominees, which severely limited Biden’s ability to fill U.S. attorney positions. According to Durbin, only 68 out of 93 such positions were filled with Senate-confirmed nominees during Biden’s tenure.
Durbin characterized the blockade as a response to what he termed the Trump administration’s “illegal and unprecedented” approach to appointing U.S. attorneys without consulting Democratic senators. He emphasized the need for a civil and bipartisan solution to the ongoing issue, stating, “Let’s do something about it in a civil way, in a fair way.”
Senator John Hoeven from North Dakota offered a more tempered reaction, expressing hope that Chase’s nomination could still be advanced before the end of the month. He acknowledged the challenges posed by Senate Democrats but remained optimistic about reaching a resolution.
Chase, nominated in May, has a long history in law, having served as an assistant in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for two decades. His experience includes leading various units, such as those dealing with white-collar fraud and criminal immigration. Meanwhile, Rosen has over 30 years of litigation experience and was also nominated in May.
As the Senate grapples with this political standoff, the future of these nominations remains uncertain. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions in U.S. politics, particularly in the realm of judicial appointments, where bipartisan support can quickly dissolve amid partisan disputes.
