Mixed signals complicate hunt for new U.S. attorney in Minnesota

U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken are interviewing candidates for a new U.S. attorney for Minnesota, but in the meantime the state’s three Republican congressmen are urging the White House to appoint a Minneapolis attorney to the post.

The mixed signals are adding uncertainty to how long this key federal law enforcement job will stay open, as the new administration of President Donald Trump moves slowly in filling important federal government jobs.

U.S. Reps. Erik Paulsen, Tom Emmer and Jason Lewis have recommended Minneapolis attorney Kevin Magnuson, according to multiple sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters. That recommendation came around the same time the senators began taking applications for the job, in late May and early June.

Andrew Luger resigned as U.S. attorney in March after the Trump administration asked Obama holdovers in those jobs to step down. That came on top of two vacancies on the federal bench and one for U.S. marshal in Minnesota. Traditionally, the president nominates candidates for these positions in consultation with home-state senators, but if they are not from the president’s party, senior members of its congressional delegation and other party leaders usually have a hand in the process.

Read more: http://www.startribune.com/senators-interviewing-u-s-attorney-candidates-minn-republicans-send-name-to-white-house/433217193/