U.S. Law Enforcement Officials Support Judge Sotomayor’s Nomination

By Mariko Lamb, Talk Radio News Service

Leading law enforcement and criminal justice officials joined Senate
Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) in a press
conference Tuesday to endorse the confirmation of Judge Sonia
Sotomayor to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Sotomayor will “prosecute the guilty” and “protect the innocent,” said
Joseph Cassilly, President of the National District Attorneys
Association (NDAA).

“We’re not looking for any reassurance that she will be pro law
enforcement in all her decisions,” assured John Adler, President of
the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association. “We only ask and
fully expect that she remain loyal to the Rule of Law,” and not
succumb to the “self-righteous bullying of special interest groups,”
he explained.

Despite the controversy surrounding Sotomayor’s overturned rulings in
New York’s Second District Court of Appeals and questions about her
allegedly biased judgments, Sen. Leahy urged his fellow legislators,
and the public at large, to “show respect for [the] third branch of
government” and its nominee.

Republicans Shoot Down Sotomayor’s Second Amendment Interpretation

By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service

Republican Senators are objecting to Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor's interpretation of the Second Amendment.

“In her decision making process in cases that she decided, Judge Sotomayor, earlier this year, rendered an opinion that held that the Second Amendment is not a fundamental right,” said Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), referencing a ruling Sotomayor issued as a 2nd Circuit judge for the city of New York last year. The Supreme Court nominee determined that the Second Amendment did not apply to city and states, but only the federal government.

Sen. Jim DeMint argued during a press conference with fellow Senators Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) Wednesday that if the Second Amendment does not apply to every American, then the Constitution no longer has any bearing on controlling the role of the federal government.

“It’s a very important question that goes... beyond the question of bearing arms but whether or not we are still a Constitutional Republic.”

The Senators reiterated their belief that the right for the people to keep and bear arms applies to all Americans and stated that they plan to ask Sotomayor questions about her interpretation of the Second Amendment during her confirmation hearings in July.

Sotomayor Gets Endorsement from Senator, Law Enforcement Groups

By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service

Senator Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) spoke out Tuesday in support of Judge Sonia Sotomayor’s Supreme Court nomination. Menendez was joined by representatives from the National Latino Peace Officers Association and the Hispanic National Bar Association. The focus of the discussion was Sotomayor’s strong commitment to equality, justice and law enforcement.

“Let me make one thing perfectly clear, we get to be proud of this nominee because she is exceptionally qualified, first and foremost. We get to be proud of her vast knowledge of the law, her practical experience fighting crime and her proven record of dedication to equal justice under the law,” said Menendez.

He said that he is proud to have the opportunity to cast a vote in support of President Obama’s nomination of Sotomayor and he believes she is clearly the right person for the job.

The law enforcement officials who spoke emphasized her work in the fight against crime. Menendez noted that there are many different professional dimensions to Sotomayor’s experience and her commitment to law enforcement is just one aspect. The Senator said all of Sotomayor’s qualities will be highlighted during the confirmation period.

Said Chief Art Acevedo, the President of the National Latino Peace Officers Association, “One of the things that impresses law enforcement about the Judge is the fact that she has worked on the streets in the front line seeing first hand as a prosecutor in New York the challenges faced by the communities we serve, the challenges faced by the law enforcement community and more importantly the challenges we face as a nation.”

Menendez and the other leaders noted Sotomayor’s judicial experience, and said they are committed to promoting a fair confirmation process by the U.S. Senate.

“Sonia Sotomayor’s nomination to be a Justice of the Supreme Court is a proud moment for America,” Menendez said. “It’s proof that the American dream is in reach for everyone willing to work hard, play by the rules, give back to their communities, regardless of their ethnicity, gender or social economic background. And it’s further proof of the deep roots the Hispanic community has in this country.”