Senate

Graham: Trump’s ATF nominee ‘very problematic’

by Jordain Carney - 10/30/19 10:27 AM ET

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said on Wednesday that President Trump’s pick to lead the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) will be “very problematic” — the latest sign that the nomination is in jeopardy.

Asked about Kenneth Charles “Chuck” Canterbury’s nomination to lead ATF, Graham told The Hill, “That one is going to be very problematic.”

“I’ll leave that up to them,” Graham added, when asked if the White House should withdraw the nomination. “But I think that one will be a problem.”

Canterbury’s nomination had been on the Senate Judiciary Committee’s agenda prior to a two-week recess earlier this month.

But since the Senate’s return, he’s been noticeably absent from the list of nominations that will be taken up during the committee’s weekly business meetings even as other controversial nominees — including circuit court picks “Sul” Ozerden and Steven Menashi — are scheduled to get a vote.

But Canterbury is the subject of steep GOP opposition within the committee.

Sens. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and John Kennedy (R-La.) told The Hill last month that they would oppose Canterbury’s nomination.

Meanwhile, Sens. Ben Sasse (Neb.) and Mike Lee (Utah), two other Republican senators on the panel, have also voiced concerns about the nomination.

Canterbury, who was previously president of the National Fraternal Order of Police, rankled senators during his hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee earlier this year by dodging their questions or giving vague answers when it came to his views on firearms.

Republicans hold a 12-10 majority on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Without help from Democrats, Canterbury would not have the support to clear the panel.