The nomination of U.S. attorneys for North Dakota and Minnesota has hit a significant roadblock in the Senate, following a hold placed by Senator Dick Durbin of Illinois. This move has sparked outrage among Republican senators, who argue that it constitutes an unprecedented level of obstruction. The nominees affected include Nicholas Chase for the District of North Dakota and Daniel Rosen for the District of Minnesota, both of whom received bipartisan support earlier this year.
Chase and Rosen were nominated by former President Donald Trump and had previously garnered approval from both Minnesota senators, Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, demonstrated by the official “blue slip” process. The blockade was enacted through an instant voice vote, bypassing the more time-consuming recorded roll call vote. This method has been criticized by Republicans, who argue it undermines the norms of Senate procedure.
Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota described the action as “spiteful,” suggesting it retaliates against voters who supported Trump. He emphasized the need for a change in Senate rules to ensure that the President has a fully functional government. “It’s time for us to change the rules in the Senate, and make sure that President Trump has the government he needs and deserves as president of the United States,” Cramer stated.
In defense of his actions, Durbin pointed out that the use of voice votes for U.S. attorney nominations has been a longstanding practice. He remarked, “For decades, the Senate confirmed U.S. attorneys by voice vote or unanimous consent.” He claimed that the current obstruction is a response to a history of Republican holds during the Biden administration, highlighting a pattern of partisan maneuvering that has marked recent nominations.
During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Durbin referenced past incidents where Republican senators placed holds on nominees, including a blanket hold announced by former Senator JD Vance. This particular hold aimed to disrupt the Justice Department under Biden, resulting in only 68 of the 93 U.S. attorney positions being filled during the current administration.
Durbin criticized the Trump administration’s approach to filling U.S. attorney vacancies, arguing it often involved extreme candidates without proper consultation with Democratic senators. He expressed a desire for a bipartisan solution to the ongoing impasse, stating, “The path forward cannot result in Republican senators having their preferred U.S. attorney nominees confirmed while Democratic senators have outrageous picks installed in their states.”
In a more measured response, Senator John Hoeven of North Dakota indicated ongoing efforts to advance Chase’s nomination. He mentioned, “We continue working to advance Nicholas Chase’s nomination as U.S. Attorney for North Dakota, along with the many other nominations being held up by Senate Democrats.” Hoeven remains optimistic that Chase can be confirmed before the end of the month.
Chase, who was formally nominated in May after being recommended in January, has a substantial background in law. He has served as an East Central District judge since 2022 and has extensive experience as an assistant in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, where he led several key units. Rosen, nominated for the Minnesota U.S. attorney position, brings over 30 years of litigation experience and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Law School.
As the Senate continues to grapple with this nomination standoff, the future of these U.S. attorney positions remains uncertain, reflecting the broader challenges of partisan politics in Washington.
