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Norton Says Trump’s Nominee for U.S. Attorney for D.C. is Contaminated by Political Interference at a Time When Increase in Homicides Here Should be Focus

May 19, 2020

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released the following statement upon learning of President Trump's intention to nominate a new U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia:

"The United States Attorney for the District of Columbia prosecutes both federal and local crime, but importantly, the largest part of his jurisdiction is local felonies. Because D.C. has no representation in the Senate, it is customary for the President to consult with me on this nomination, when we are of the same party, or at least to have the nominee visit with me, as President Trump's first U.S. Attorney, Jessica Liu, and the current Acting U.S. Attorney, Tim Shea, did.

"Further, it is particularly concerning that this nominee, Justin Herdman, has no apparent ties to the District, unlike Tim Shea, who resides in the District, as required of U.S. attorneys elsewhere. The District needs focused attention from the U.S. attorney at a time when homicides here have been increasing.

"This appointment comes at the time of unprecedented political interference with the usual independence of officers who administer criminal justice. President Trump has been openly interfering in the Justice Department's probes of Michael Flynn and Roger Stone, both closely associated with Russian interference in the 2016 election."

Norton has introduced a bill that would allow D.C. to prosecute all local crimes. Norton has also introduced a bill that would require the U.S. Attorney for D.C. to reside in D.C.

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