WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a powerful show of support for the rule of law, 116 former judges signed a letter to Chief U.S. District Judge Andrew Gordon of Nevada and his district court colleagues. The letter urges them to resist former President Trump’s attempt to bypass constitutional checks and appoint Sigal Chattah as U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada. Chattah is known for incendiary rhetoric and a record of urging weaponization of law enforcement for political ends.

Two bipartisan watchdogs, Democracy Defenders Action and the Conservative Society for the Rule of Law, spearheaded the letter, which was submitted Monday to the court by retired federal and state judges, including those who were nominated by presidents of both parties. The former judges make four key points for why Chattah is disqualified from serving and would endanger Nevadans and the rule of law:

• Chattah’s appointment by a district court would continue an alarming pattern of the administration overriding the Senate’s constitutional duty to confirm U.S. attorneys before granting them immense power.

• Chattah has a long history of threatening to misappropriate law enforcement resources to pursue those who disagree with her politics.

• Chattah has a history of racist statements, including violence-tinged remarks about a Black political opponent.

• Chattah has demonstrated extreme partisan bias and has a record of undermining confidence in the judiciary, including stating that judicial decisions she disagrees with are part of a “deep state” conspiracy.

“Nevadans deserve a United States attorney who will prioritize their safety and adherence to the rule of law – not who talks about political retribution and personal vendattas” said Amb. Norm Eisen (ret.), executive chair of Democracy Defenders Action. “116 former judges agree. Chattah’s shocking racist and violence-tinged rhetoric should disqualify her from this office.”

“Our system of equal justice under law depends on prosecutors that put their duty to the law above all else,” said Gregg Nunziata, executive director of the Society for the Rule of Law Institute. This Administration has a disturbing pattern of entrusting Justice Department leadership positions to individuals ill-suited to such roles, often evading the Senate confirmation process to do so. More than anyone, judges understand the danger of prosecutorial powers in the wrong hands and the essential protections of constitutional checks and balances."

“The role of a United States Attorney demands honesty, integrity, impartiality, judgment, and deep respect for the rule of law,” said Michael Luttig, a retired judge who served on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. “Based on Ms. Chattah’s public statements and conduct, we do not believe she even arguably meets this standard. Even her temporary appointment by the federal judges of Nevada would seriously undermine the public’s confidence in our legal system and in the rule of law, as well as suggest that the federal courts condone the statements and conduct that have given rise to the controversy surrounding her nomination.”

The full letter is here.