Dems rip Trump DOJ nominee who represented Russian bank

Senate Democrats are pushing back against President Trump’s nominee for assistant attorney general, citing concerns over his past work for a Russian bank.

A number of Democrats issued statements on Tuesday raising red flags about the nomination of Brian Benczkowski to lead the Department of Justice’s criminal division. They cited his lack of prosecutorial experience, as well as his ties to a Russian bank.

The New York Times first reported last year that Benczkowski told lawmakers he previously represented Alfa Bank, one of Russia’s largest financial institutions. The owners of Alfa Bank have ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

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Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) knocked Benczkowski for his lack of experience in addition to his job history, calling him the “wrong person” for the assistant attorney general job.

“Will Senate Republicans simply rubber stamp this nomination? The Benczkowski vote could mark a pivotal moment in the Russia investigation,” Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate, tweeted.

Will Senate Republicans simply rubber stamp this nomination? The Benczkowski vote could mark a pivotal moment in the Russia investigation. The warning signs are clear. Read my letter here: pic.twitter.com/I3FbK26ZMJ

— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) July 10, 2018

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) said in a statement that Benczkowski’s nomination “presents glaring conflicts of interest” with regard to special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russia meddling in the 2016 election. 

“Despite repeated requests from Judiciary Committee Democrats that he recuse himself from any matters involving the ongoing investigation into the Trump campaign, Benczkowski has refused to commit,” she said.

Benczkowski refuses to recuse himself from the Russia investigation despite having worked for a Russian bank under investigation for ties to Trump. He also pushed for Comey’s firing to AG Sessions while serving on the Trump transition team. Those are clear conflicts of interest.

— Sen Dianne Feinstein (@SenFeinstein) July 10, 2018

Sen. Christopher Coons (D-Del.) urged Trump to nominate qualified individuals “without concerning Russia connections.”

“Every American should expect that the person nominated for this important position is qualified to meet the weighty demands of the job, and every American is entitled to the assurance that the Department of Justice is entirely independent and impartial. Mr. Benczkowski does not pass this test,” Coons said in a statement.

Several other Democrats voiced concerns with the nomination, repeatedly pointing to Benczkowski’s past work for Alfa Bank.

Brian Benczkowski is about to get a confirmation vote to run the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice in the Senate. Two things you should know about him are that he’s never tried a case and that he was a lawyer for Alfa Bank. So. Many. Coincidences.

— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) July 10, 2018

It is outrageous that President Trump’s pick to lead DOJ criminal division not only has 0 prosecutorial experience, but has direct ties to Russia’s Alfa Bank. Benczkowski is not up to the job when it comes to getting all the answers in the Russia Investigation.

— Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) July 10, 2018

The Senate is scheduled to consider Benczkowski’s nomination on Wednesday at 10 a.m.

A group of more than a dozen former U.S. attorneys urged the Senate earlier this year to approve Benczkowski’s nomination, which has been stalled for months.

Trump nominated Benczkowski last June. The post was previously held by Christopher Wray, who Trump appointed last year to lead the FBI after he fired James Comey.