Rachael Rollins’ compelled resignation as U.S. Attorney is a stinging embarrassment for each Elizabeth Warren and Eddie Markey.
The state’s two U.S. senators had been Rollins’ greatest supporters when President Biden nominated then Suffolk County District Attorney Rollins for the place, regardless of clear indicators that Rollins lacked the temperament for the job.
The Boston Globe described Rollins as a “trailblazer.” In reality, she was a practice wreck ready to occur.
And it occurred.
And to rub salt into the wound, it was U.S Sen. Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, who set it in movement.
Cotton, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, who opposed Rollins’ nomination, adopted up on a Boston Herald story that Rollins had violated the Hatch Act by attending a Democrat Party fundraiser in Andover at which First Lady Jill Biden starred.
The Hatch Act prohibits Senate-confirmed appointees within the Department of Justice from partaking in partisan political exercise.
She was additionally accused of sabotage in leaking detrimental inside details about Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden, her successor, to the Boston newspapers to assist the candidacy of Boston City Councilor Ricardo Arroyo within the final election.
Rollins lied concerning the matter when she was later questioned, in accordance with the Justice Department’s Inspector General report.
The report, one in every of two, stated, “The leak was an extraordinary breach of public trust by a senior government official, which threatens to erode confidence in the integrity of federal law enforcement actions.”
Rollins ought to have recognized higher.
So ought to have Warren and Markey. Anyone who has been round Massachusetts politics lengthy sufficient knew that it was solely a matter of time earlier than the free-wheeling, usually pugnacious Rollins would crash and burn.
She was ceaselessly on the lookout for a battle and to throw across the race card. She is the primary lady of coloration appointed as U.S. Attorney in Massachusetts.
What Rollins failed to grasp is that it’s one factor to be an unbiased elected district lawyer who has no boss however the voters. It is one other to be a federal appointee who solutions to higher-ups within the Justice Department.
“Free-wheeling U.S. Attorney’s do not last long,” we wrote on January 10, 2022, upon her appointment. She lasted for 14 months.
Rollins, who started her political profession with a bang, ended it with a whimper.
She can be remembered fondly by progressives, nevertheless, because the district lawyer who proudly listed 15 crimes she wouldn’t prosecute.
These crimes included drug possession and the intent to promote medicine, shoplifting below $250, receiving stolen property, breaking and getting into vacant property, trespassing, malicious destruction of property and disorderly conduct.
She may also be remembered for attacking the Boston Globe for printing an op-ed column by then Cape and Island District Attorney Michael O’Keefe that held that legislators make legal guidelines and prosecutors implement them.
O’Keefe was additionally vital of “social justice” district attorneys.
Rollins stated the piece was “veiled” racism and the Globe mustn’t have revealed it.
Then there was the celebrated Christmas Eve 2020 highway rage incident on the South Bay Shopping Center when Rollins activated the blue lights and the siren of her state car as she competed with one other motorist looking for the exit. The feminine motorist, feeling threatened, filed a criticism that was, naturally, brushed apart by then-Attorney General Maura Healey.
Later, when a Boston Channel 25 information reporter (a white feminine) sought to query Rollins concerning the incident, Rollins launched right into a racist, expletive-ridden response and threatened to name the police. Here’s a partial transcript.
“So as a black woman, in this moment in this country you’re going to put my f—–g house on the screen?”
“No, no, no, ma’am, we’re just here approaching you to ask you a question,” the reporter stated.
“Get out of here. You know what I’ll do? I’ll call the police on you and make an allegation — rantings of a white woman. I swear to God, I’m dead serious. I will find your name. I will have you arrested.”
What is wonderful is that the Justice Department didn’t bury this scandal together with all the opposite Democrat scandals in its political graveyard.
Peter Lucas is a veteran Massachusetts political reporter and columnist.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”