Chairman Graham Statement on Berman Termination

WASHINGTON – Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today made this statement after Attorney General Barr announced President Trump had fired acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), Geoffrey Berman.

“It is my view that any president has the ability to replace political appointees, such as U.S. Attorneys.

“The decision by President Trump to remove Mr. Berman as acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York falls within the president’s power to appoint or remove U.S. Attorneys.

“I have confidence the Deputy U.S. Attorney, Audrey Strauss, who will assume the duties of Mr. Berman, will continue running SDNY in a professional and ethical manner. Ms. Strauss is widely viewed as a highly competent, highly capable Deputy U.S. Attorney with the knowledge and experience to hit the ground running.”