Trump Nominates Pete Serrano for U.S. Attorney in Western Washington

President Donald Trump has nominated Pete Serrano to serve as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington, setting up another confrontation with Washington Sen. Patty Murray over one of Trump's federal prosecutor nominees. Serrano has been serving as the top federal prosecutor in Eastern Washington. Trump has now nominated him for the U.S. attorney position covering Western Washington, including Seattle. Murray immediately announced her opposition to Serrano's nomination and said she intends to use every tool available to block it. The new Pete Serrano nomination also puts renewed attention on the Senate Judiciary Committee's blue-slip process. Blue slips give home-state senators an opportunity to weigh in on certain federal nominees. The Senate Judiciary Committee has used the practice for more than a century, although different committee chairmen have applied it differently over time. Washington GOP Chair Jim Walsh argues that Trump's decision to nominate Serrano in Western Washington may be part of a larger strategy to force another confrontation over the blue-slip process. That is Walsh's interpretation of the White House's strategy, rather than a stated explanation from the administration. Murray, meanwhile, has sharply criticized Serrano and Trump's decision to nominate him for the Western District position. What happens next could determine whether Serrano advances toward Senate confirmation and could add to the broader debate in Washington over the blue-slip tradition and the president's federal appointments. Washington in Focus examines Pete Serrano's nomination, Patty Murray's opposition and the process surrounding Washington's U.S. attorney positions. Follow The Center Square for continuing coverage of Washington state government, federal appointments, Congress and the decisions affecting Washington residents. Want the next important update by text? Get the Washington state government and policy developments worth your attention sent straight to your phone. Text TCSWA to 206-944-3016 or sign up here: https://joinsubtext.com/c/thecentersq... Msg & data rates may apply. #DonaldTrump #PeteSerrano #PattyMurray #WashingtonState #USAttorney #Senate #BlueSlip #WashingtonPolitics #Seattle #WashingtonNews #TheCenterSquare #WashingtonInFocus