Joe Biden has a bad track record of nominating candidates to serve in various positions in the federal government.
Months ago, Biden’s nominee for Comptroller of the Currency, Saule Omarova, expressed anti-private banking and anti-energy views. These views went as far as endorsing the end of private banking and expressing an interest in the bankruptcy of the energy sector.
These comments went a bridge too far even for certain Democratic senators; however, the White House didn’t voluntarily revoke its nomination.
Now, the White House is back with a nominee to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). This is being met with massive backlash from over one dozen Republican attorneys general across the country.
A Clear Message from GOP attorneys general
Steve Duttelbach is Biden’s latest ATF nominee. However, 15 different Republican attorneys general are warning senators that he’s bad news.
According to these state leaders, Duttelbach will simply reinforce the anti-gun policies of the Biden administration. As evidence to support this claim, GOP attorneys general pointed out Duttelbach’s established history of opposing gun rights for Americans.
Red flag laws give power to the government to decide who can own a firearm.
If you thought the government was out of control when Obama’s IRS was targeting conservatives, just wait until Biden’s ATF starts taking guns from law abiding citizens.
— Jake Evans (@JakeEvansGA) June 15, 2022
It is also the view of these state leaders that the ATF should have a leader who upholds laws on the books and stops criminals from breaking these laws. Right now, senators are being asked to oppose Duttelbach’s nomination on the basis that he won’t live up to these standards.
If Biden’s nominee somehow gets into the ATF, Republican attorneys general are saying he will simply increase tyranny within the federal government and crack down on Americans’ liberties.
A Toss Up?
If Republican senators are able to get even one moderate Democrat in the chamber to join them in voting against Duttelbach, his nomination won’t pass Congress.
At this time, the most likely Democrats who would vote with GOP senators are Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and/or Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ). On select occasions, both of these Democrats have voted alongside Republicans, even when it angered their own party.
The U.S. Senate should oppose this dangerous and partisan nominee. Americans need an ATF Director who will crack down on criminals — not someone who will simply pander to the anti-gun left.https://t.co/ZoKbp8x5vE
— Texas Attorney General (@TXAG) June 21, 2022
Whether or not at least 51 senators heed the warning of GOP state attorneys general will determine the fate of the ATF. If the country is able to dodge the bullet that is Duttelbach, it would be a major win for the gun rights movement.
