Senate confirms Rollins to be U.S. Attorney, Massachusetts’ first Black woman in the role

Suffolk County’s district attorney, Rachael Rollins, who made the headlines for her drive to reform the criminal justice system from the inside out, will become Massachusetts’s chief federal attorney after a split US Senate approves.

“She’s really, really committed to making the criminal justice system work for everyone. And she’s also very committed to correcting injustices within that criminal justice system,” said Carmen Ortiz, former Massachusetts attorney.

Ortiz expects Rollins to continue fighting for restorative justice, but said there is no clear analogy between the local and federal levels when it comes to Rollins’ policy of avoiding lower-level prosecution as there are far fewer There are federal crimes that are considered minor. Ortiz suggests that Rollins could continue its pursuit of reform and restorative justice by refusing to bring some state crimes into federal affairs.

“It could bring that to fruition by not pursuing federal cases that could be prosecuted, but not justifying these kind of strict measures and this kind of law enforcement,” Ortiz said.

Rollins’ nomination for US attorney split the Senate, with 50 Democrats voting in favor and 50 Republicans voting against. Vice President Kamala Harris cast a tie on both the preliminary vote and the final count.

Republicans attacked Rollins’ policies of not prosecuting many lower-level crimes, trying to equate a vote for Rollins with support for the abolition of the police.

“Loyal Americans don’t want prosecutors who refuse to prosecute, they don’t want revolving-door city prisons, and they need leaders who defend the rule of law,” Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell said in the Senate.

“This gentle endorsement of crime should have brought the candidate a pink slip of paper. Instead, President Biden is giving her a promotion, ”McConnell said.

Ortiz rejected the GOP’s criticism.

“She does not want to abolish the police. I believe that she wants to work with committed officials who do their jobs with integrity and in accordance with applicable guidelines and regulations and laws,” said Ortiz.

Ortiz, who served under President Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017, said one of the biggest changes, and perhaps challenges, for Rollins’ new federal role will be separating her personal views from her position as a US Department of Justice officer Justice. Rollins was an Assistant US Attorney at Ortiz from 2007 to 2011.

“You can’t really express your own personal opinion and that would clash with the department in some way,” said Ortiz.

Rollins has been known to speak openly and publicly about her positions and policies since she was elected Suffolk Prosecutor in 2018.

“I think Rachael is more of a lawyer, and as a lawyer in the United States, you have to be a little more careful,” Ortiz said.

The Democrats who sponsored Rollins’ nomination, Massachusetts Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, wrote in a statement that “Rollins has dedicated their careers to transforming the criminal justice system so that it can actually reduce crime and provide equal justice to all.”

“In this new role, we have every confidence that she will continue her partnerships with law enforcement, community officials and other key members of the legal community to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all people in the Commonwealth, and we look forward to her renewal Energy and innovative vision that will bring it to the US Attorney’s Office, “wrote Warren and Markey.

Once Rollins is sworn in as US attorney, Governor Charlie Baker will be responsible for appointing a new Suffolk County district attorney to serve until next year’s election.

In a statement from a spokesman, Baker congratulated Rollins on her confirmation and said he looks forward to working with her again.

“The governor will shortly set an appointment as a district attorney for Suffolk County from a pool of qualified applicants,” wrote spokesman Terry MacCormack.

https://www.wgbh.org/news/politics/2021/12/08/senate-confirms-rollins-to-be-u-s-attorney-massachusetts-first-black-woman-in-the-role