Law Prof Withdraws Nomination to Head DOJ's Office of Legal Counsel
Controversial Indiana University law professor Dawn Johnsen has withdrawn her nomination to lead the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel 15 months after she was first nominated for the position.
Johnsen, a former legal director of NARAL Pro-Choice America, announced her withdrawal on Friday, according to stories in the National Law Journal, Fox News and the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.).
Johnsen had drawn fire for her views on abortion and for her past criticism of Bush administration terrorism policies. President Obama renominated her in January, but he did not submit her name for a recess appointment last month in “an early indication of her fate,” the Wall Street Journal says.
Johnsen said in a statement that her aim had been to restore the Office of Legal Counsel to “its best nonpartisan traditions.”
“Unfortunately, my nomination has met with lengthy delays and political opposition that threaten that objective and prevent OLC from functioning at full strength,” she said. “I hope that the withdrawal of my nomination will allow this important office to be filled promptly.”
