Jeff Sessions blames Colorado Senator for stalling GOP over federal marijuana laws
WASHINGTON The sudden departure of the Justice Departments No. 3 official is adding to the turmoil at an agency that already lacks permanent, politically appointed leaders for many of its most important divisions.
Associate Attorney General Rachel Brands resignation builds on an unusual problem that has contributed to instability in the department, current and former officials say, and has prevented the Trump administration from fully implementing its agenda more than a year after Attorney General Jeff Sessions took office.
Sessions lamented situation Monday, blaming a single Republican senator for holding up the confirmations of key figures, including the heads of the departments national security, criminal and civil rights divisions. While not mentioning him by name, Sessions left no doubt he was referring to Sen. Cory Gardner of Colorado, who promised to prevent the confirmation of all Justice Department nominees after Sessions lifted Obama-era protections for states that have legalized marijuana.
Gardner continues to block the confirmations in protest, his spokesman confirmed Monday night.
Some of President Donald Trumps Justice Department nominees have been in limbo for months as they go through a drawn-out confirmation process that has been aggravated by Gardners resistance.
That might be less surprising if Congress were controlled by Democrats. But its unusual to see a Republican blocking his own presidents nominee.
Its getting frustrating, Sessions told a friendly crowd at a gathering of the National Sheriffs Association. These are critically important components But because right now one senators concerns over unrelated issues like reversing federal law against marijuana we cant even get a vote.
Brand announced Friday she was leaving for a top legal job at Walmart after less than nine months overseeing some of the departments most politically challenging areas, including its civil rights, antitrust and civil rights divisions. She cited an a opportunity in the private sector she could not turn down, which pays considerably more than a job in government.
But her time at the Justice Department had no doubt been difficult, especially with the staffing shortages. And her tenure came as the institution is under extraordinary criticism from Trump, which has strained morale. Her job also had the prospect of becoming even more difficult because she would have been in line to oversee special counsel Robert Muellers Russia probe if Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein had resigned, been fired or otherwise stepped aside.
The process to nominate and confirm Brands replacement will take months.
Eight key positions lack Senate-confirmed leaders, including four that were overseen by Brand. Also awaiting confirmation is John Demers, Trumps choice to lead the national security division responsible for terrorism and espionage cases. The post is critical, in part because only officials with Senate approval can sign warrants for foreign surveillance, an essential duty for the head of the national security division ...
