Dick Durbin Asks Trump's Nom To Lead Marshals Service If He'll Have 'Adequate Resources' After Cuts

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During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) questioned President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the US Marshals Service Gadyaces Serralta.

Transcript

00:00Senator.

00:01Thanks, Mr. Chairman, and let me say at the outset, I welcome you both.

00:05You both have extraordinary backgrounds in law enforcement.

00:10I'm sorry that you're both on the same panel because you each, I believe, have very important

00:16jobs you're seeking, and I wish we had more time so that we could be fair in asking both

00:24of your questions.

00:25I'm going to focus my questions on Mr. Seralta.

00:30Mr. Cole, that doesn't diminish the importance of the DEA in my mind.

00:33I hope you understand that.

00:35We just have limited time.

00:36Mr. Seralta, I want to start by saying as the son of an immigrant, when you told me your

00:42story, when you told this gathering your story, it is a heartwarming story of a family that

00:48came to the United States and has made this nation better.

00:52Immigrants make America better.

00:54This notion that they're all rapists and terrorists and murderers and mentally unstable

00:59doesn't reflect the reality of America.

01:02Your family has given much to this country and I'm sure will continue to, so I want to

01:06salute you in that regard.

01:09I'm going to ask you a question because the Marshal Service is the lead agency charged with

01:15executing and enforcing judicial orders from federal courts.

01:19I'm going to ask you if you are willing to commit under oath to enforcing all judicial

01:23orders if you are confirmed to lead the Marshal Service.

01:26Thank you, Senator.

01:28The primary role and mission of the Marshal Service is to provide safety for and obey,

01:38enforce, and execute all lawful orders of the federal courts.

01:43That was clear.

01:46Now, let's get to the issue of judicial security.

01:49You identified that as your first priority.

01:51I'm sure it isn't in any way to reflect on your other priorities, but let's talk about

01:58it for a moment.

01:59You've been a somewhat extraordinary witness because you've served under both Democrats and

02:05Republican presidents.

02:06You're a holdover, and that speaks well of you and the fact that you are considered apolitical,

02:12at least in my mind.

02:14So let me ask you this question.

02:16Do you feel the challenge of judicial security continues to grow in intensity?

02:21Senator, thank you.

02:25Thank you for that question.

02:28Not only am I apolitical, but the United States Marshal Service is apolitical.

02:32Threatening a judge is a serious, serious crime, and it's something that we have always been

02:39a part of investigating and holding folks accountable.

02:44So threats have been coming at judges for years.

02:50The entire six years I've been here, as well as I'm sure in the future.

02:56So we will continue the intensity and the tenacity of investigating each and every threat and

03:03taking it to the further extent of the law, working with the various United States Attorney's

03:09Office in each district.

03:11So my staff, I've asked them, what is the size of the staff of the U.S. Marshal Service nationwide?

03:18And they estimate that there are 5,600 employees.

03:21We now know that DOGE, the Elon Musk Inefficiency Task Force or whatever they call themselves,

03:29has sent letters to 5,000 out of your 5,600 U.S. Marshal Service, inviting them to resign.

03:38I want to ask you at the outset, 5,600, is that number about right?

03:43Senator, I think it's lower than that.

03:45Do you feel that you have adequate resources to meet your responsibilities in protecting judges,

03:52their families, and those who are part of the court system?

03:55Well, Senator, that's going to be my top priority is to make sure that we keep our judges safe.

04:01I've done so for the last six years in the Southern District of Florida, and I will continue to do so.

04:06As far as the resources, the human resources, that is something I'd have to study.

04:11I'd have to look at where we have our folks and ensure, and if I do need more human resources,

04:19then I would absolutely take it up with the Department of Justice and ensure that we make the ask.

04:25So you have 5,000 of the 5,600 employees, by my estimation here, who have been invited to resign.

04:33If that happens in any substantial number, are you concerned that it would diminish the knowledge,

04:39experience, and seniority of the current marshals to serve in the future?

04:44Well, Senator, I believe you're talking about what they call the DRP or the fork.

04:48I believe that is particular to the folks that can afford to retire, the folks that have the time in.

04:56I certainly am one that if someone has earned their stripes, if somebody has put in an entire career,

05:03and they'd like to retire, then that's their right.

05:08However, I can tell you there are a number of marshals that seek extensions in order to work longer and don't want to retire.

05:16They can retire and they don't retire.

05:18I'm going to ask one simple question. My time has expired here.

05:21Are you willing to commit under oath that you will fight for the resources to protect judges and their families

05:29against the threats that they're now receiving, like this pizza episode?

05:34Yes, Your Honor.

05:35Yes, sir.

05:36Before I call Senator Graham, Senator Moody's going to cover for me while I'm 10 or 15 minutes down to finance.

05:45Senator Graham, go ahead.

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