Justice Department lacks key leaders, and a Republican senator is threatening to keep it that way

By Matt Zapotosky January 6 at 12:06 PM

Nearly a year into President Trump’s administration, the Justice Department lacks Senate-confirmed appointees in leadership posts running the national security, criminal, civil rights and other key divisions. And the problem shows no sign of abating anytime soon.

On Thursday, after Attorney General Jeff Sessions revealed he was implementing new guidance to make it easier for federal prosecutors to pursue marijuana cases in states where the substance is legal, Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) accused the Justice Department of trampling the will of Colorado voters and said he would “take all steps necessary, including holding DOJ nominees, until the Attorney General lives up to the commitment he made to me prior to his confirmation.”

Already, the department had a dearth of Senate confirmed nominees in leadership positions. While the top three posts are filled, the National Security Division, Criminal Division, Civil Rights Division, Tax Division, the Drug Enforcement Administration and others lack confirmed presidential appointees. A Justice Department official said the delays have been frustrating, particularly in the criminal and national security divisions. “We desperately need them; we desperately need those two in particular,” the official said. “We need them here, like, yesterday.”

Some nominations have languished for months — even as Trump’s party controls Congress. Justice Department veterans from both political parties say that void prevents the department from fully implementing its policy goals.

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/the-justice-department-lacks-key-leaders-and-a-republican-senator-is-threatening-to-keep-it-that-way/2018/01/06/86d00e38-f1a0-11e7-b3bf-ab90a706e175_story.html