WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, the ranking member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, echoed concerns raised by Democratic colleagues that President Joe Biden’s action to fire 56 U.S. attorneys could impede ongoing investigations. In a letter to President Biden, Grassley urged the administration to consider the impacts of removing each U.S. attorney on their ongoing investigations and consult with home-state senators before terminating them.
“It is unfortunate that you are taking these actions without replacements announced. It is also concerning that your administration did not consult with home-state Senators about this decision and that some of these U.S. Attorneys may be involved in sensitive investigations,” Grassley wrote.
Grassley’s letter follows public concerns expressed by Illinois Democratic senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Those senators are particularly alarmed by the announced removal of John Lausch, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois. Lausch is currently supervising a public corruption case that reportedly could implicate the longtime Illinois House Speaker.
Read Grassley’s letter to Biden below:
2021-02-10 CEG to Biden - US Attorney Removals
