HARRISBURG — Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason released the following statement regarding the Obama Administration’s nomination of Debo Adegbile, who worked on behalf of convicted cop-killer Mumia Abu Jamal, to head the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.
“Bob Casey and Allyson Schwartz should already be standing up for the memory of police officer Danny Faulkner and reject President Obama’s nominee to head the Civil Rights Division, Debo Adegbile,” Gleason said. “Bob Casey and Allyson Schwartz’s silence while Debo Adegbile is pushed by the Obama Administration is disgraceful and an affront to the Faulkner family, the Philadelphia Police Department and all who live in Philadelphia. I strongly urge them to join with Governor Tom Corbett, Senator Pat Toomey, and Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick in condemning the President’s choice.”
Pennsylvania Leaders on this nominee:
“Mr. Adegbile pushed the boundaries of appropriate advocacy in supporting the cause of a convicted murderer. This nomination is an insult to the family and memory of Officer Daniel Faulkner.” — Governor Tom Corbett
“Mr. Adegbile volunteered to represent Mumia Abu-Jamal, who murdered police officer Daniel Faulkner in 1981. As Officer Faulkner’s widow explained in her letter to the Committee, Adegbile was part of a legal team that extended her grief for 32 years, spreading misinformation about the crime and falsely proclaiming Abu-Jamal’s innocence. I will continue to urge my colleagues to oppose Mr. Adegbile’s nomination and defeat it on the Senate floor.” — U.S. Senator Pat Toomey
“The Senate Judiciary Committee’s decision to disregard the valid concerns of a bipartisan group of lawmakers, police groups and the family of a fallen police officer is nothing short of disturbing. Furthermore, the widow of Officer Faulkner was not offered an opportunity to testify before the committee. By approving the nomination of Mr. Adegbile, the committee is working in direct opposition of the brave men and women they task to uphold the nation’s laws – from the Fraternal Order of Police to rank and file officers.” — Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick
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