Brad Schimel Takes on Interim U.S. Attorney Role in Eastern Wisconsin
Brad Schimel, a familiar face in Wisconsin’s judicial landscape, assumed the role of interim U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin on Monday. This significant position encompasses 28 counties within the state.
Schimel, who previously vied for a seat on the state Supreme Court, had the backing of President Donald Trump during that high-stakes election. Despite the endorsement, he was defeated by Susan Crawford, a former Dane County Judge, in what became the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history. Crawford’s win solidified the court’s slim liberal majority.
This appointment by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, also a Trump appointee, faced criticism from Democrats like U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin. They objected to the process bypassing Senate confirmation, a step usually required for such positions.
The role of U.S. Attorney typically involves a nomination by the president followed by Senate confirmation for a four-year term. However, Schimel’s new position as an interim role allowed it to sidestep this approval process.
Senator Baldwin expressed her concerns, stating, “Brad Schimel was soundly rejected twice by Wisconsinites because they knew he would play politics with the law, not deliver justice fairly for everyone – and he has no business being a top prosecutor in Wisconsin.” She emphasized the importance of having justice system officials committed to the rule of law rather than presidential loyalty, especially in the current political climate.
Schimel, a Republican, served as Wisconsin’s attorney general from 2015 until 2019, when he lost his re-election bid to Democrat Josh Kaul. Prior to that, he was Waukesha County’s elected district attorney and most recently served as a Circuit Court judge in the same county.
In a statement made on Monday, Schimel expressed optimism about the potential for his interim role to evolve into a permanent position. “For more than three and a half decades, public service has been my calling – first as a young prosecutor in Waukesha County, then as District Attorney, Attorney General, and most recently as a judge,” he remarked. “In every one of those roles, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside dedicated professionals who believe, as I do, that justice isn’t just a system – it’s a promise we make to the people we serve.”
