Trump Appointed Rhode Island U.S. Attorney To Step Down

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island's U.S. Attorney is stepping down. Aaron Weisman's resignation takes effect Sunday, his office said in a release.

Weisman joins many of his counterparts, including Massachusetts' Andrew Lelling, in the common post-election resignation. Following his election, President Joe Biden asked nearly all prosecutors appointed by former President Donald Trump to step down.

"Serving as United States Attorney for the District of Rhode Island has been the greatest honor of my career," Weisman said. "I am indebted to the hard-working, dedicated, and conscientious professionals with whom I have had the privilege to work alongside at the United States Attorney's Office, and who, day in and day out, carry out the Office's critical justice mission – ensuring the just prosecution of federal-law violations, and that justice be achieved in the civil lawsuits brought by and against the federal government."

Following Weisman's departure, First Assistant United States Attorney Richard B. Myrus will become his acting replacement. The leadership team in the office will remain the same.

"I have no doubt that the Office, working together with its outstanding federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, will continue its exemplary service to all Rhode Islanders," Weisman said.

https://patch.com/rhode-island/cranston/rhode-island-u-s-attorney-step-down

https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/aaron-l-weisman

The Nation's Most Unpopular Governor: Raimondo Confirmation Could Come Next Week

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island could officially have a new governor as soon as next week. Gov. Gina Raimondo is finally on the Senate vote calendar after her confirmation as Commerce Secretary was put on hold by Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

Monday evening, the full Senate is set to vote on a motion to invoke cloture on Raimondo's nomination, which, if approved, would place a time limit on the final confirmation vote.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse said the Tuesday filing "tee[s] up a final vote next week."

"I look forward to a swift confirmation for our new Commerce Secretary," Whitehouse said.

Raimondo's confirmation vote has been on hold since early February, when Cruz placed a hold on the process.

"I'll lift the hold when the Biden admin commits to keep the massive Chinese Communist Party spy operation Huawei on the Entity List," Cruz tweeted Feb. 4.

https://patch.com/rhode-island/cranston/preliminary-raimondo-senate-vote-scheduled-new-week

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo is the least-popular governor in the United States, according to an online poll.

The second-term Democrat’s job performance is viewed unfavorably by 56% of registered voters, according to website Morning Consult, the most negative response during her time in office and the highest in the country. Only 36% of poll respondents, surveyed between July 1 and Sept. 30, viewed her favorably.

https://www.providencejournal.com/news/20191017/poll-raimondo-is-nations-most-unpopular-governor