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Letter from American Oversight to Chief Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, urging her to appoint a veteran, career prosecutor to serve as Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia after the current interim U.S. Attorney’s term expires in early June.
“In light of troubling developments at the U.S. Attorney’s Office around the time of Interim U.S. Attorney [Timothy] Shea’s appointment,” American Oversight executive director Austin Evers wrote, “we urge you to consider appointing a veteran career prosecutor to serve as Interim U.S. Attorney until the vacancy is permanently filled to avoid even the appearance that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is subject to improper political interference in the investigation and prosecution of criminal matters.”
President Trump appointed Shea to the position in early February 2020, just days after the previous U.S. Attorney had unexpectedly resigned. Shortly after Shea’s appointment, his office drew widespread criticism for recommending a shockingly lenient sentence for Trump ally Roger Stone, who had been convicted of lying to Congress and obstructing a congressional investigation.
20200505_AO_Howell_Letter
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