David Jackson

USA TODAY

President Obama denounced the Senate defeat of a Justice Department nominee on Wednesday, calling it "a travesty based on wildly unfair character attacks against a good and qualified public servant."

Fifty-two senators — 45 Republicans and seven Democrats -- voted to block Debo Adegbile's nomination to head the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division because of the role he once played in the defense of convicted cop-killer Mumia Abu-Jamal.

In written statement, Obama said Adegbile fulfilled the duties of a defense lawyer in the Abu-Jamal case.

"As a lawyer, Mr. Adegbile has played by the rules," Obama said. "And now, Washington politics have used the rules against him."

The president said the rejection of Adegbile because of his legal representation of a defendant "runs contrary to a fundamental principle of our system of justice — and those who voted against his nomination denied the American people an outstanding public servant."

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., opposing Adegbile's nomination, said "his advocacy on behalf of the nation's most-notorious cop-killer that most calls into question his fitness for the powerful government position he seeks."

Numerous law enforcement organizations opposed the nomination.

Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., one of the Democrats who voted against Adegbile, said "I was troubled by the idea of voting for an assistant attorney general for civil rights who would face such visceral opposition from law enforcement on his first day on the job."

In his statement, Obama said Adegbile has "impeccable" qualifications.

"His unwavering dedication to protecting every American's civil and constitutional rights under the law — including voting rights — could not be more important right now," Obama said. "And Mr. Adegbile's personal story — rising from adversity to become someone who President Bush's solicitor general referred to as one of the nation's most capable litigators — is a story that proves what America has been and can be for people who work hard and play by the rules."