Justice Department photo
Five state Attorney Generals Monday called on President Joe Biden to withdrawal the nomination of Vanita Gupta to the number 3 position at the Justice Department, reports the Washington Times.
This is the second Indian American nominee to come under fire. Biden’s choice to be his budget chief, Neera Tanden, is opposed by even some moderate Republicans and at least one Democrat, because of stinging attacks she made on politicians in the past.
The Attorney Generals say Gupta’s past comments on shifting resources from policing make her unsuitable for the job.
“Ms. Gupta has a history of making radical statements that do not support providing law enforcement with the resources needed to succeed,” wrote Todd Rokita of Indiana, Leslie Rutledge of Arkansas, Jeff Landry of Louisiana, Mike Hunter of Oklahoma and Ken Paxton of Texas.
American Kahani reports, however, that the anti-Trump wing of the Republican Party is now coming to Gupta’s defense.
Defending Democracy Together, which includes conservative columnist Bill Kristol and author Mona Charen, launched a $1 million add campaign in support of Tanden.
Gupta served as the head of the Civil Rights Division in the Justice Department under President Obama.
“Vanita Gupta has earned the respect of Republicans and law enforcement officials as an ally in the fight for criminal justice reform. Now, she must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Associate Attorney General,” organizers say on the website.
Unless Gupta loses support of any Democrats in the Senate, she is likely to still be confirmed.
Tanden faces a tougher battle after Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced he would vote against her. This means she will need at least one Republican to support her nomination. Two moderate Republicans, Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Susan Collins (R-ME).
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