Sangamon Sun

Disappointed with President Joe Biden’s decision to remove U.S. Attorney John Lausch, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) officially expressed his sentiment that Lausch should have been allowed to continue in his role.

A joint statement with U.S. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) released Tuesday indicated this disappointment.

“While we agree with the Biden Administration’s criminal justice agenda, we are disappointed with the decision to terminate U.S. Attorney Lausch without consulting us,” Durbin and Duckworth stated. “In 2017, our non-partisan screening committee gave its support for Mr. Lausch to serve in this position, and the Senate confirmed him unanimously.”

The senators further said that until there’s a confirmed successor to his role Lausch should remain in his position.

“While the President has the right to remove U.S. Attorneys, there is precedent for U.S. Attorneys in the Northern District of Illinois to remain in office to conclude sensitive investigations. We believe Mr. Lausch should be permitted to continue in his position until his successor is confirmed by the Senate, and we urge the Biden Administration to allow him to do so.”

Lausch is currently leading a corruption investigation of former House Speaker Mike Madigan, in the ComEd case.

In December, according to The Center Square, Durbin has already stated that there should be considerations before a U.S. attorney is replaced when a new president takes office.

“Would I urge the administration to allow the U.S. attorney to continue if they’re actively involved in a timely investigation? Yes,” Durbin said. “I don’t need to know any more detail that it is timely and they’re actively engaged in it. As to whether any other successor U.S. attorney would take the case I wouldn't speculate. That’s too far in advance.”