The Justice Department on Tuesday asked nearly all US attorneys appointed by former President Donald Trump to step down, CNN reports.
All 56 US attorneys appointed by Trump were asked to resign by February 28 by acting Attorney General Monty Wilkinson on Tuesday, though several acting US attorneys and those appointed by courts were not included.
The Trump Justice Department similarly ousted 46 US attorneys appointed by Obama after he took office.
Wilkinson is currently heading up the DOJ after former Senate Judiciary Chairman Lindsey Graham delayed Attorney General nominee Merrick Garland’s confirmation hearing before Democrats took over the committees.
Biden prosecutor staying on:
David Weiss, the US attorney in Delaware, will stay on to continue his investigation into Hunter Biden’s taxes, marking a stark departure from Biden’s predecessor, who used the DOJ to shield himself and allies.
Wilkinson also asked John Durham to resign as US attorney in Connecticut but the prosecutor will stay on as a special counsel to investigate the origins of the Trump-Russia probe.
Acting DC US Attorney Michael Sherwin will also stay on to continue his investigation into the Capitol riot.
Dems bristle at firing:
Illinois Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth took issue with Biden’s removal of US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois John Lausch, noting in a statement that he did not consult with them about the firing.
"While the President has the right to remove U.S. Attorneys, there is precedent for U.S. Attorneys in the Northern District of Illinois to remain in office to conclude sensitive investigations,” they said in a statement. “We believe Mr. Lausch should be permitted to continue in his position until his successor is confirmed by the Senate, and we urge the Biden Administration to allow him to do so.”
