U.S. Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat from Washington, has announced her intention to block the confirmation of Pete Serrano, President Donald Trump’s nominee to serve as the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
Serrano, who previously served as the mayor of Pasco, was appointed to the position on August 6 by Attorney General Pam Bondi. He stepped down from his role as mayor and officially began his duties in Spokane shortly thereafter. However, Serrano’s confirmation hearing is not expected to take place for another four months.
At the age of 44, Serrano has a controversial political background, having campaigned for the position of Washington attorney general under a platform that included a focus on gun rights and opposition to abortion. During his campaign, he referred to individuals jailed for their participation in the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol as “political prisoners.”
Senator Murray expressed her concerns over Serrano’s candidacy, stating, “His extreme right-wing views are far out of step with the people of Washington state, and I will be using every legislative tool I have to block his confirmation.”
The Senate has a window of 120 days to confirm Serrano following his appointment. Yet, without Senator Murray’s backing, his path to confirmation appears challenging.
Murray can utilize several options to impede Serrano’s nomination, including either refraining from returning a blue slip—a form that signifies support—or submitting the form with a negative response. While a blue slip is not a formal requirement for appointment to the U.S. Attorney position, it is a longstanding Senate tradition that grants senators some influence over presidential appointments for federal prosecutors in their states.
Historical data from the Congressional Research Service reveals that between 1956 and 2016, only three nominees for U.S. attorney have been confirmed without the approval of both senators from their respective states.
The pressure on Senate Republicans from President Trump to eliminate the blue slip process has intensified, particularly after his former defense attorney, Alina Habba, faced opposition from both Democratic senators from New Jersey during her confirmation bid for a similar role in that state.
Habba, who currently holds an interim position, has initiated investigations targeting the Democratic governor and attorney general of New Jersey over the state’s immigration policies. Following an unsuccessful confirmation attempt, Bondi has reappointed Habba as interim U.S. attorney, although her authority is being challenged in court.
Despite the tensions over the blue slip process, many senior Republicans, including Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley of Iowa, have upheld the practice, asserting that a nominee without a blue slip would likely fall short of the necessary votes for confirmation.
Washington’s other senator, Maria Cantwell, also a Democrat, has not yet commented publicly on Serrano’s nomination.
Serrano has acknowledged the uphill battle he faces regarding his confirmation. In late July, following his appointment, he stated, “For now, I’m going to do my job serving the people of the Eastern District as best I can. If that’s not good enough, I guess I don’t know what is.”
Serrano’s role involves overseeing the prosecution of federal crimes across 20 counties east of the Cascade Range, which encompass the most conservative regions of Washington state. He manages a team of nearly 80 prosecutors and support staff and is responsible for federal cases, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, interstate fraud, counterfeiting, and child sex offenses.
Notably, Serrano will oversee prominent cases such as those against Spokane activists who protested against immigrant arrests in June. Under his predecessor, Stephanie Van Marter, federal felony charges were lodged against nine protesters who allegedly blocked an immigration enforcement van that was to transport two detained immigrants to a federal facility for deportation.
During the turbulent political landscape following President Trump’s reelection, the Spokane U.S. Attorney’s office has experienced significant turnover. Former U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref resigned in February, followed by interim U.S. attorneys Richard Barker and Stephanie Van Marter.
The Washington State Democratic Party has voiced strong opposition to Serrano’s appointment, characterizing it as a blatant effort to entrench partisan influences within the legal system. The state party emphasized, “This matters to all of us here in Washington. The U.S. Attorney’s office handles everything from fighting crime to protecting voting rights and holding powerful interests accountable. We can’t let it become a partisan weapon that undermines our values and safety.”
Serrano, who moved from California to Pasco in 2015, has a background as an environmental lawyer for the U.S. Department of Energy and has served as the past leader of the Franklin County Republican Party.
In addition to his role as Pasco mayor, Serrano previously stepped down as director and general counsel for the Silent Majority Foundation, a conservative nonprofit he established aimed at limiting government regulation. His work with the SMF includes attempting to challenge Washington’s COVID mandates and legislation governing gun magazines.
Moreover, Serrano became involved in a high-profile lawsuit against the city of Spokane on behalf of the controversial evangelical pastor Sean Feucht. This lawsuit stemmed from the city council’s condemnation of Feucht during his 2023 concert in Spokane.
Last year, Serrano also collaborated with right-wing video journalist Jonathan Choe to document the experiences of homeless individuals in Spokane, highlighting the juxtaposition between drug availability and personal safety in the area.
Following his nomination, Serrano was lauded by Choe, who remarked, “I went into Spokane’s drug dens with Serrano last year. The guy is fearless but also compassionate. Huge win for the state.”
As the confirmation process unfolds, all eyes will be on Senator Patty Murray’s actions in the coming months, as her decision could significantly impact Serrano’s future as the U.S. Attorney.
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