WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) released the following statement after the Department of Justice fired James W. Hundley, whom the District Judges of the Eastern District of Virginia (EDVA) unanimously chose as the interim U.S. Attorney for EDVA:

“The Trump Administration has shown complete disrespect for the longstanding process—which Presidents and Senators of both parties have respected and followed in Virginia for years—for the nomination and confirmation of U.S. Attorneys. Now, Trump’s DOJ is also disregarding the law, which clearly gives district judges the power to select U.S. Attorneys when these positions are vacant. The EDVA judges made an excellent decision in picking James Hundley. Virginians deserve a court system that is fully staffed with qualified personnel—and the Trump Administration’s antics are making our communities less safe.”

###