Senate Judiciary Committee questions three Justice Department nominees on court orders, voting and civil rights

Three nominees for senior Justice Department posts faced sustained questioning at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in Washington, D.C., on a range of topics including whether elected officials must follow federal court orders, enforcement of voting- and campus-related civil-rights laws, and conflicts and recusals.

The hearing brought into sharp relief the committee’s concerns about the rule of law, the independence of career prosecutors, and civil-rights enforcement priorities. Committee members questioned John Sauer, nominated to be solicitor general of the United States; Aaron Reitz, nominated to lead the Office of Legal Policy; and Harmeet Dhillon, nominated for assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division. Chairman Chuck Grassley said, "Our 3 nominees have been tapped to serve in important roles in the Justice Department."

Why it matters: the solicitor general and the Justice Department’s policy and civil-rights leaders shape litigation strategy, regulatory review and enforcement that affect federal policy and Americans’ rights nationwide. Senators pressed nominees about past statements, litigation positions, and how they would respond if the White House sought actions the nominees believed to be unlawful.

Most contested: whether public officials may refuse to…