WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, released the following statement on Brian Benczkowski, who has been nominated to serve as the Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division. Senate Republicans have scheduled a vote on Mr. Benczkowski’s nomination for this week.

“In the midst of an ongoing investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, I’m deeply concerned by the nomination of Brian Benczkowski to serve as the Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division. Given his lack of relevant experience and ties to a Russian bank, I’m confident that Mr. Benczkowski is not the nominee our country needs at this critical moment.

“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. I encourage the administration to send us qualified, capable nominees without concerning Russia connections.”

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