Fight Over Trump’s Nominees Begins – 9KUSA

Interest groups and Democrats have started the battle against President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees. As a contentious and high-profile transition nears its end and confirmation hearings begin, opponents have little time to make their point. It’s hard to see how they stop the administration getting their entire slate approved. But one of the most important positions and controversial nominee is Senator Jeff Sessions for Attorney General.

The Justice Department under President Obama was an activist agency led for six years by his strong ally, Eric Holder. He directed it into a host of fights, including those related to voting rights, immigration, police practices and criminal prosecution, including national security and drugs. The Attorney General also has the president’s legal back.

Hence, it is not surprising that 1,100 law professors are protesting Sessions’ appointment. He is very conservative and has been accused of racial insensitivity in the past. But few Cabinet nominees are rejected. There is deference to presidents’ choices. The Republicans also have 52 party votes and a plan to rush the confirmation hearing en masse to reduce the time and opportunity opponents have to mount effective opposition.

Ryan Haarer of 9KUSA interviewed me concerning DU law professor Robin Walker Sterling’s signing the petition opposing Sessions with 1,100 of her legal colleagues. We discuss why opponents of Trump are concerned, but also the unlikelihood their effort will be successful.

9NEWS political analyst Floyd Ciruli says these law professors are “by and large on the liberal side of things” and likely won't have much impact on Sessions' confirmation.

“Mr. Trump has made it utterly clear, as has the Republican congressional leadership that they are reversing the Obama legacy root and stem. It's going to be gone if they can do it,” Ciruli said. “This is part of the strategy to slow it down, to injure it.”

I pointed out that this is just the beginning of the resistance, which will likely reach a peak at the January 20 inauguration with thousands of protestors expected to come to D.C.