Durbin Delivers Opening Statement During Senate Judiciary Committee Nominations Hearing

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today delivered an opening statement at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the nominations of Michael J. Hendershot, to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio; Arthur Robert Jones, to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas; Jeffrey T. Kuntz, to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida; and John George Edward Marck, to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas. During his opening, Durbin spoke about the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner this weekend and expressed his gratitude that no one was seriously injured. Durbin also condemned the weaponization of the Department of Justice (DOJ) under the President’s MAGA loyalists.

Key Quotes:

“The nominees before us are being considered for lifetime appointments [on] the bench. Judges are the bulwark for the rule of law, which has never been more important as this Administration has weaponized the Justice Department against political targets.”

“Last week, we learned that the FBI investigated a New York Times journalist. Why was this journalist investigated? Simply because she reported that the FBI Director Kash Patel is using agency resources to provide his girlfriend with security and transportation. FBI agents went so far as to recommend an investigation into whether the reporter broke federal stalking laws by seeking to interview the FBI Director’s girlfriend.”

“And just yesterday, DOJ brought its second baseless indictment against former FBI Director James Comey… This prosecution was personally ordered up by the President of the United States, who appears will never forgive Mr. Comey for overseeing the investigation of whether there was any Russian interference in the 2016 election.”

“The President’s obsession with the Russia investigation has also led to the Justice Department’s investigation of a so-called ‘grand conspiracy’ against him. This far-fetched MAGA theory claims that the deep state has been involved in a conspiracy against Trump that began with the intelligence assessment that Russia [was] interfering in the 2016 election and continued through Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigation.”

“Another problem is the investigation of Special Counsel John Durham, who was appointed during the first Trump Administration to investigate the Russia investigation. Trump promised Durham would uncover ‘the crime of the century,’ but he spent four years and millions of dollars to no avail. No matter, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is forging ahead in a desperate attempt to placate the President.”

“This Administration’s lawless conduct makes clear that it has never been more important for judges who are dedicated and committed to the law without fear or favor. Will these nominees be independent in their thinking or [will they be] a rubberstamp? Will they defend the rule of law?”

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