Nicholas Trutanich confirmed as US attorney in Nevada
WASHINGTON — The Senate confirmed Nicholas Trutanich to be the U.S. attorney in Nevada on Wednesday, one of the last actions in the 115th Congress.
Trutanich was one of a package of nominees who were unanimously approved, en masse, before the Senate adjourned.
Trutanich was nominated by President Donald Trump in July and enjoyed the support of Nevada Sens. Dean Heller, a Republican, and Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democrat and former Nevada attorney general.
“Nicholas Trutanich is a public servant who has served Nevada well,” Cortez Masto said in a statement. “I believe he will continue that good work on behalf of the Silver State as our next U.S. attorney.”
“I’m humbled,” Trutanich told the Review-Journal.
He said he was thankful to Trump, Cortez Masto and Heller, who recommended him for the post.
“I am eager to again represent the best client in the world, the United States of America,” Trutanich said.
Cortez Masto said she would continue to push the administration to nominate dedicated public servants who “uphold the rule of law and ensure fair and efficient justice for everyone in the State of Nevada.”
Nevada has two federal judgeships vacant, with one seat declared a judicial emergency because it has been unfilled for nearly three years.
Trutanich was a chief of staff for Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt. He served previously as assistant U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, where he headed a unit targeting gangs and organized crime.
He will replace Dayle Elieson of Texas, who was appointed by former Attorney General Jeff Sessions to serve in the Nevada position on an interim basis last January.
Although Trutanich did not have home-state opposition, his nomination languished in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., put a hold on judicial nominations in committee after the panel and Senate leaders refused to take up his bill to protect a special counsel investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election and ties to the Trump campaign.
Trutanich was included in a package of nominations other than judges in a procedure known as “hotlining” and passed by the Senate on a unanimous voice vote.
Contact Gary Martin at gmartin@reviewjournal.com or 202-662-7390. Follow @garymartindc on Twitter.
