This may be just the pacifier they need.
Democratic lawmakers who wanted FBI Director James Comey fired, but who were later incensed that President Trump fired him, are being offered a two-for-one consolation prize.
Republican senators suggest nominating Judge Merrick Garland, former President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee, to take Comey’s place.
The clever suggestion, which was forwarded on to the White House, is the brainchild of Sens. Mike Lee and Orrin Hatch, both of whom represent Utah.
“I suggested that [the White House] ought to consider him,” Hatch told reporters on Thursday, The Hill reported. “I didn’t say they should just pick him. I know they’ve got some really excellent people, but I said put Merrick in the list too.”
‘Deal with facts’: Watch Brokaw go old school and put Andrea Mitchell’s Comey narrative on ice
Lee suggested that a Garland appointment could have the added advantage of quelling Democratic calls for a special prosecutor to look into an alleged Trump-Russia connection.
Instead of a special prosecutor, @realDonaldTrump should nominate Merrick Garland to replace James Comey.
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) May 11, 2017
Lee spokesman Conn Carroll assured The Hill that Lee’s support for Garland was sincere.
“He’s eminently qualified and has the reputation needed to restore public confidence in FBI,” he told the publication.
The suggestion received some limited bipartisan support. Sen. Amy Klobuchar observed that it could be a good fit, given Garland’s prior experience as a prosecutor. She added, however, that whatever the result, a special prosecutor should be nonetheless appointed.
Good idea @SenMikeLee. Former prosecutor Merrick Garland for FBI Director is great idea. Need special prosecutor toohttps://t.co/HjMdwIGxAq
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) May 11, 2017
Lee disagreed on the special prosecutor notion.
I am confident the Deputy AG will follow #FBI‘s established regulations on how and when a special prosector can be appointed. https://t.co/grad7X0zye
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) May 11, 2017
The Minnesota Democrat got cold feet four hours after her original assent, responding to someone’s assertion that Garland should remain on the bench.
To be clear, this isn’t going to happen. I RTed bc it’s a good idea for Rs to think about consensus FBI candidates. https://t.co/K9NBWXcAfz
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) May 11, 2017
The Hill reported:
The GOP pitch to make Garland the nation’s top law enforcement officer is a reversal from last year, when Republicans refused to give him a hearing or a vote to join the Supreme Court. The move infuriated Democrats and allowed Trump to quickly appoint a justice after taking office.
The short-lived support given by Klobuchar wasn’t shared by her colleague, Sen. Brian Schatz. The Hawaiian Democrat saw boogey men wherever he looked.
On Merrick Garland for FBI head, this seems…unserious. pic.twitter.com/5q3JsFDjUO
— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) May 11, 2017
Sen. Lindsey Graham, who sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee with Hatch and Lee, added his support for the idea.
“Put me on that list of floaters,” the South Carolina Republican said. “I like that. I think he’s a good guy.”
Sen. Roy Blunt observed that a Garland appointment would have one additional advantage: It would create a huge vacuum within the circuit court of appeals — one that the GOP could fill.
Red flags and outrage flare when ABC announces abrupt cancellation of popular ‘conservative’ sitcom
“It would also create a vacancy in the important D.C. Circuit, so maybe I like it better the more I think about it,” the Missouri Republican told the Associated Press.
But don’t tell the Democrats.
Wake up right! Receive our free morning news blast HERE
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
- ‘Act like a grownup’: Drunk driver sobs when she loses plea deal by coming 4 hours late to court - July 23, 2017
- ‘I would’ve fired her the day I met her’: Glenn Beck reveals more about Tomi Lahren mess - July 23, 2017
- Canadian thug beats 74-year-old cyclist bloody with a club in road rage fit– and they say US is more violent? - July 23, 2017
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
BPR INSIDER COMMENTS
Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!