We, the undersigned attorneys general of 18 states, call on the Senate to confirm as soon as possible Governor Kristi Noem, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Kash Patel to lead the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice (“DOJ”), and Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), respectively. Even under ordinary circumstances, it is imperative that President Trump have his national security team in place on Day One. And we are not in ordinary times. The events over the New Year holiday are a grim reminder of why any delay in confirming America First leaders to these important posts is unacceptable. 

In the early morning hours of January 1, a radicalized man inspired by ISIS killed 15 people and wounded dozens more in a heinous terrorist attack in New Orleans. A few hours later, a vehicle exploded outside a hotel owned by President Trump in Las Vegas. Numerous bystanders were injured. Absent the immediate change in direction in our immigration and national security policies that President Trump has promised—change that can be fully effected only if President Trump’s chosen nominees are in place—these disturbing events will be a harbinger of more tragedies to come.

"The events of January 1 should remind us that all Americans have a common interest in securing our country against foreign and domestic threats. Now is not the time for partisan gamesmanship in the confirmation process. We ask the Senate to confirm Governor Noem, General Bondi, and Mr. Patel at the earliest possible date," said Attorney General Liz Murrill in the letter.

Read the whole letter here.