President Trump nominated Robert K. Hur, a high-level aide to Deputy U.S. Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, as the new U.S. attorney for Maryland.
“Rob Hur is a brilliant lawyer who consistently demonstrates exceptional civility, professionalism and humility,” Rosenstein said in a statement. “As Maryland’s next United States Attorney, he will maintain the high standards of the office, coordinate effectively with our partners, and bring renewed energy to reducing violent crime and achieving other priorities.”
As an assistant U.S. attorney in Maryland from 2007 to 2014, Hur took on “gang violence, drug trafficking and firearm offenses, and white collar crimes,” according to a White House news release.
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Hur has also served as special assistant to Christopher A. Wray, who at the time was an assistant attorney general overseeing the Justice Department’s criminal division, according to the release. Wray is now FBI director.
If confirmed, Hur would oversee an office that is among the busiest in the country and “has a reputation for handling sophisticated cases involving political corruption, white-collar fraud and vast gang conspiracies that drive violent crime,” according to The Washington Post.
U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland) said in a joint statement that although they didn’t recommend Hur for the job, they’re “impressed with his record” and in favor of his appointment.
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“We look forward to supporting Mr. Hur’s nomination and working with him should he be confirmed by the Senate,” they said in the statement.
A spokesman for Gov. Larry Hogan indicated the governor’s office was uninvolved in the process, and spokesman Doug Mayer had no further comment, according to The Baltimore Sun.
