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Senate rejects Obama nominee for Justice Department civil rights post Senate rejects Obama nominee for Justice Department civil rights post
(6 months later)
President Barack Obama’s fragile authority in the US Senate was dealt another blow on Wednesday as seven Democrats rebelled against the administration to block the appointment of Obama’s controversial pick to run the civil rights division of the Department of Justice.President Barack Obama’s fragile authority in the US Senate was dealt another blow on Wednesday as seven Democrats rebelled against the administration to block the appointment of Obama’s controversial pick to run the civil rights division of the Department of Justice.
Debo Adegbile, who has been a senior lawyer with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s Legal Defense and Education Fund, was criticised for his role in the legal defence of a black activist convicted of murdering a police officer.Debo Adegbile, who has been a senior lawyer with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People’s Legal Defense and Education Fund, was criticised for his role in the legal defence of a black activist convicted of murdering a police officer.
Despite recent changes to Senate filibuster rules that mean only 51 votes are needed to approve presidential appointments, and the unusual presence in the chamber of vice-president Joe Biden, who was there to break any potential tie, the leadership lost the vote by 47-52.Despite recent changes to Senate filibuster rules that mean only 51 votes are needed to approve presidential appointments, and the unusual presence in the chamber of vice-president Joe Biden, who was there to break any potential tie, the leadership lost the vote by 47-52.
This final tally included a procedural ‘no’ vote from Senate majority leader Harry Reid in order to keep open the possibility of resubmitting the proposed confirmation. However, seven other Democrats voted against, including Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Mark Pryor of Arksanas, John Walsh of Montana, Chris Coons of Delaware, Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania.This final tally included a procedural ‘no’ vote from Senate majority leader Harry Reid in order to keep open the possibility of resubmitting the proposed confirmation. However, seven other Democrats voted against, including Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Mark Pryor of Arksanas, John Walsh of Montana, Chris Coons of Delaware, Joe Donnelly of Indiana and Bob Casey of Pennsylvania.
Adegbile’s appointment to the high-profile DOJ post had been opposed by police groups due to his involvement in legal appeals by Mumia Abu-Jamal, who was convicted of the 1981 killing of police officer Daniel Faulkner.Adegbile’s appointment to the high-profile DOJ post had been opposed by police groups due to his involvement in legal appeals by Mumia Abu-Jamal, who was convicted of the 1981 killing of police officer Daniel Faulkner.
“It’s an absolute slap in the face to every police officer, especially those who gave their lives in the line of duty,” said Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police President John McNesby after the appointment was first announced. “There’s outrage, there’s resentment there’s disapproval. You name it and our cops are feeling it.”“It’s an absolute slap in the face to every police officer, especially those who gave their lives in the line of duty,” said Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police President John McNesby after the appointment was first announced. “There’s outrage, there’s resentment there’s disapproval. You name it and our cops are feeling it.”
Supporters of Adegbile, a leading expert on civil rights law, say the criticism is based on a misunderstanding of his role as a lawyer in representing clients independently of his own personal view.Supporters of Adegbile, a leading expert on civil rights law, say the criticism is based on a misunderstanding of his role as a lawyer in representing clients independently of his own personal view.
As director of litigation of the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund, Adegbile submitted an amicus curiae, or “friend of the court”, brief to the supreme court in 2009 arguing that Abu-Jamal’s conviction was invalid because of racial discrimination in jury selection.As director of litigation of the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund, Adegbile submitted an amicus curiae, or “friend of the court”, brief to the supreme court in 2009 arguing that Abu-Jamal’s conviction was invalid because of racial discrimination in jury selection.
Adegbile’s defeat also comes as the administration prepares to fight against recent setbacks to civil rights voting laws in the supreme court and the Senate defeat brought a scathing response from the White House.Adegbile’s defeat also comes as the administration prepares to fight against recent setbacks to civil rights voting laws in the supreme court and the Senate defeat brought a scathing response from the White House.
“The Senate’s failure to confirm Debo Adegbile to lead the civil rights division at the Department of Justice is a travesty based on wildly unfair character attacks against a good and qualified public servant,” said Obama in a statement.“The Senate’s failure to confirm Debo Adegbile to lead the civil rights division at the Department of Justice is a travesty based on wildly unfair character attacks against a good and qualified public servant,” said Obama in a statement.
“Mr Adegbile’s qualifications are impeccable. He represents the best of the legal profession, with wide-ranging experience, and the deep respect of those with whom he has worked. His unwavering dedication to protecting every American’s civil and constitutional rights under the law – including voting rights – could not be more important right now.” “Mr Adegbile’s qualifications are impeccable. He represents the best of the legal profession, with wide-ranging experience, and the deep respect of those with whom he has worked. His unwavering dedication to protecting every American’s civil and constitutional rights under the law – including voting rights – could not be more important right now.”
The president, himself a former law professor, also reacted strongly against the reasons that senators gave for rejecting the nominee.The president, himself a former law professor, also reacted strongly against the reasons that senators gave for rejecting the nominee.
“Mr Adegbile’s personal story – rising from adversity to become someone who President Bush’s solicitor general referred to as one of the nation’s most capable litigators – is a story that proves what America has been and can be for people who work hard and play by the rules,” Obama said.“Mr Adegbile’s personal story – rising from adversity to become someone who President Bush’s solicitor general referred to as one of the nation’s most capable litigators – is a story that proves what America has been and can be for people who work hard and play by the rules,” Obama said.
“As a lawyer, Mr Adgebile has played by the rules. And now, Washington politics have used the rules against him. The fact that his nomination was defeated solely based on his legal representation of a defendant runs contrary to a fundamental principle of our system of justice – and those who voted against his nomination denied the American people an outstanding public servant.” “As a lawyer, Mr Adgebile has played by the rules. And now, Washington politics have used the rules against him. The fact that his nomination was defeated solely based on his legal representation of a defendant runs contrary to a fundamental principle of our system of justice – and those who voted against his nomination denied the American people an outstanding public servant.”
Democrats face possibly losing control of the Senate in November’s mid-term elections and have been increasingly willing to oppose the president on issues ranging from trade talks to gun control, particularly in close-fought states. And two of the Democrats who voted against Adegbile, Pryor and Walsh, face what could be tough battles for their seats this fall.Democrats face possibly losing control of the Senate in November’s mid-term elections and have been increasingly willing to oppose the president on issues ranging from trade talks to gun control, particularly in close-fought states. And two of the Democrats who voted against Adegbile, Pryor and Walsh, face what could be tough battles for their seats this fall.
Senator Patrick Toomey, Pennsylvania’s Republican senator, led opposition to the appointment, arguing that the NAACP shouldn’t have joined Abu-Jamal’s appeal.Senator Patrick Toomey, Pennsylvania’s Republican senator, led opposition to the appointment, arguing that the NAACP shouldn’t have joined Abu-Jamal’s appeal.
“This was not a case of every defendant deserving a lawyer: Abu-Jamal already had multiple attorneys,” he said. “This was about joining a political cause. As part of this cause, the lawyers supervised by Adegbile promoted the myth that Abu-Jamal was an innocent man who was framed because of his race.”“This was not a case of every defendant deserving a lawyer: Abu-Jamal already had multiple attorneys,” he said. “This was about joining a political cause. As part of this cause, the lawyers supervised by Adegbile promoted the myth that Abu-Jamal was an innocent man who was framed because of his race.”
“Thanks in part to the efforts of Adegbile, today Mumia Abu-Jamal is alive and off of death row, while Maureen Faulkner has only memories of her husband,” added Toomey. “This heartbreaking outcome is not justice. The fact that Adegbile does not understand that makes him unfit to serve as a leader in the Justice Department.”“Thanks in part to the efforts of Adegbile, today Mumia Abu-Jamal is alive and off of death row, while Maureen Faulkner has only memories of her husband,” added Toomey. “This heartbreaking outcome is not justice. The fact that Adegbile does not understand that makes him unfit to serve as a leader in the Justice Department.”