07182017 - News Article - Senate Republicans applaud president’s U.S. attorney nominees - Attorney Thomas Kirsch/Defense attorney for federally indicted Portage Mayor James Snyder

Senate Republicans applaud president’s U.S. attorney nominees
By Ripon Advance News Service
July 18, 2017
https://riponadvance.com/stories/senate-republicans-applaud-presidents-u-s-attorney-nominees/
President Donald Trump’s nominations of U.S. attorneys to serve Indiana, Missouri and North Carolina drew praise from U.S. Sens. Todd Young (R-IN), Richard Burr (R-NC), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Roy Blunt (R-MO).

The president nominated Thomas Kirsch to serve as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Indiana, Joshua Minkler to serve as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Bobby Higdon to serve as the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina, and Jeffrey Jensen to serve as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri.

Young said Kirsch, a former assistant U.S. attorney in Indiana’s Northern District, has a “great legal mind” and a willingness to take on powerful interests. Minkler, who spent 21 years as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District, Young added, has demonstrated “integrity and a heart for his community” throughout his career.

“Both Josh and Tom are respected throughout the state,” Young said. “I’m confident that if partisan politics do not stand in the way, the vast majority of my Senate colleagues will vote for confirmation.”

Blunt said Jensen, a former FBI agent and executive U.S. attorney, is uniquely qualified to serve as U.S. Attorney for Missouri’s Eastern District.

“I’ve received numerous letters of support for Mr. Jensen’s nomination from local and federal law enforcement officers, all of which speak to his exceptional level of dedication, integrity and leadership ability,” Blunt said. “Mr. Jensen has a demonstrated commitment to building stronger, safer communities through both his public service and civic involvement. I look forward to supporting his nomination as the confirmation process moves forward.”

Higdon, meanwhile, previously handled high-profile cases as a federal prosecutor and also served as the criminal chief in North Carolina’s Eastern District before his appointment.

“Bobby Higdon is an incredibly qualified choice for U.S. Attorney, holding decades of prosecutorial experience,” Tillis said. “Eastern North Carolina will benefit from Bobby’s leadership.”

Burr agreed that Higdon is “an excellent choice” to serve as U.S. attorney for North Carolina’s Eastern District.

“He has extensive legal expertise, having served as an assistant United States attorney in both the Western and Eastern Districts of North Carolina, and will provide fair and experienced leadership in this role,” Burr said.