GOP senators slam Adegbile’s nomination

Republican senators hammered President Obama’s nominee, Debo Adegbile to be an assistant attorney general.

The Senate will vote Wednesday afternoon on whether to end debate on Adegbile's nomination, which will require only 51 votes.

Adegbile's nomination has become controversial because he was director of litigation for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Legal Defense Fund (LDF) when it defended Mumia Abu-Jamal in an appeals case. 

Abu-Jamal was convicted and sentenced to death for killing a Philadelphia police officer by shooting him several times at point-blank range. But the NAACP argued that the case and sentence were racially motivated and Abu-Jamal is no longer on death row.

Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) said Adegbile is “unfit to serve” because of his role in defending a  “coldblooded cop killer.”

Sens. Jeff SessionsJefferson (Jeff) Beauregard SessionsAppeals court rules against Trump effort to hit 'sanctuary cities' Justice Dept inspector asks US attorney to consider criminal charges for McCabe: reports Poll: Almost two-thirds of Texas voters support legal recreational marijuana MORE (R-Ala.), Ted CruzRafael (Ted) Edward Cruz32 male senators back Senate women's calls to change harassment rules Senate confirms Trump’s pick to lead NASA DOJ denies reports judicial nominee once called illegal immigrants 'maggots' MORE (R-Texas), Rob PortmanRobert (Rob) Jones PortmanTax rules will be subject to more OMB review under new memo Ending sex trafficking tomorrow requires preventing child abuse today Doctors bristle at push for opioid prescription limits MORE (R-Ohio) and Jeff FlakeJeffrey (Jeff) Lane FlakeHeitkamp becomes first Dem to back Pompeo for secretary of State Duckworth brings her baby to Senate vote, drawing a crowd Senate confirms Trump’s pick to lead NASA MORE (R-Ariz.) joined Toomey in voicing opposition to Adegbile’s nomination in floor speeches Tuesday.

“This nominee is not suited for the position,” Flake said. “I believe we would not be considering his nomination if the Majority had not deployed the nuclear option.”

Some Democrats who face tough reelections in November might oppose Adegbile’s nomination. Police organizations, such as the Fraternal Order of Police, also opposed the nomination.