DAG Confirmed

Only Ronald Reagan and Calvin Coolidge stand between President Obama finding himself among the ten slowest presidents in our Nation's history to grant pardons. Today, however, David Ogden was confirmed as deputy attorney general (DAG) by a vote of 65-28. This position has, of course, been critical to the administration of clemency in the past. And, it might be so in the future. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vermont) says the 55-year-old Ogden "is an immensely qualified nominee whose priorities will be the safety and security of the American people and reinvigorating the traditional work of the Justice Department in protecting the rights of Americans.”

Prof. Berman, at Sentencing Law and Policy notes:

... Especially since neither President Obama or AG Holder seems likely to make federal criminal justice reform a top policy priority, the main deputies at DOJ and the line USAs will decide, both formally and informally, set federal criminal justice priorities in the months and years ahead.