Cotton threatens to block DOJ nominees over refusal to defend US Marshals in 2020 Portland Antifa riots

[Leroy N. Soetoro]

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/tom-cotton-biden-doj-nominees-marshals

FIRST ON FOX – Sen. Tom Cotton is threatening to hold up Justice
Department nominations over concerns that the Biden administration may not
be representing U.S. Marshals who are being sued for actions they took
defending the Portland federal courthouse in 2020.

"These courageous officers were attacked by left-wing street militants
with weapons such as mortar fire, ball bearings, and blinding lasers,"
Cotton, R-Ark., said in a letter addressed to Attorney General Merrick
Garland. "A refusal to represent these Deputy Marshals would violate the
Department’s long-standing practice – not to mention its moral duty – to
defend law-enforcement officers when they’re sued for actions in the line
of duty."

PORTLAND STRUGGLES TO REHIRE POLICE AFTER DEFUNDING AND RIOTS

The Portland federal courthouse was subject to months of attacks by
activists protesting police brutality in 2020. It was one of the hottest
flashpoints in the debate over law and order ahead of the presidential
election.

In the wake of those attacks, the Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund told
Fox News it is representing four deputy U.S. Marshals who were sued by
demonstrators, claiming one officer was outright denied legal defense by
the DOJ.

"After careful review and consideration of the information currently
available, I have determined that representation would not be in the
interest of the United States. Accordingly, the request for representation
is denied," the rejection read.

Cotton gave the DOJ a deadline of 3 p.m. Tuesday to respond to the letter
with a "satisfactory answer," or else, he said, "I will be compelled to
object to Department nominees both in the Judiciary Committee and on the
Senate floor."

"The Department is reviewing Senator Cotton’s letter and will respond
promptly," a Justice Department spokesperson said. "The department
currently represents or has paid for representation of over 70 federal
employees who have been sued in connection with the events in Portland.
Indeed, to date, the Department has denied legal representation for only
one federal employee in these cases."

PORTLAND ANTIFA RIOTER CHARGED WITH ASSAULTING POLICE HAS CASE DISMISSED
AFTER 30 HOURS COMMUNITY SERVICE

One senator alone cannot completely block a presidential nominee from
being confirmed. But because of the Senate rules, a single member can drag
out debate for days or weeks on routine nominees that otherwise may be
confirmed by unanimous consent.

Senate Republicans have already used their ability to slow down Biden's
nominees to significant effect. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, stood in the way
of a slate of State and Treasury Department nominees in order to force a
Senate vote on sanctions against Russia's Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

Cruz's bill did not succeed, but the vote forced the issue onto the
Senate's front burner ahead of a likely invasion of Ukraine by Russia.


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President Trump boosted the economy, reduced illegal invasions, appointed
dozens of judges and three SCOTUS justices.