Acting Utah U.S. Attorney Carlie Christensen is now the interim U.S. Attorney, an administrative change in status that reflects the Obama administration’s difficulties in making a permanent appointment to head the office.
Christensen, a veteran prosecutor, had been acting U.S. Attorney since George W. Bush appointee Brett Tolman resigned in December. The federal Vacancies Act allows officials to serve in an acting capacity for no longer than 210 days.
Attorney General Eric Holder appointed Christensen to the interim post, which becomes effective today, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.
Utah Democrats are angry about reports the White House is considering a Republican to fill the state’s top federal prosecuting job.
The White House is reportedly looking at nominating the former deputy director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Scott Burns.
The White House dropped consideration of David Schwendiman, a career Assistant U.S. Attorney who had been considered the likely nominee. Schwendiman had been recommended by the state’s only congressional Democrat, Rep. Jim Matheson.
