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President Barack Obama's choice to head the Justice Department's civil rights division has failed a Senate test vote and his confirmation is in jeopardy. The vote was 47-52, short of the needed majority. Eight Democrats joined Republicans to block the nominee, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., who voted "no" so he would be able to bring up the nomination again in the future. The controversy over Debo Adegbile stems from legal representation of a man who is currently imprisoned for the murder of a Philadelphia policeman decades ago. It was unclear what the next step will be for...

The Senate voted 47-52 Wednesday to reject controversial nominee Debo Adegbile as an assistant attorney general. Seven Democrats voted against moving forward with President Obama’s nomination of Adegbile, which the Fraternal Order of Police and other groups opposed because of his involvement in the defense of Mumia Abu-Jamal, who was convicted of killing a Philadelphia police officer in 1981. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) then switched his vote from yes to no in a move that allows him to bring the nomination up again for a future vote. Every Republican also voted against the nomination, sending it to defeat....

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) on Tuesday took a strong stance against President Barack Obama’s nominee to head the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, calling the nomination “insulting to law enforcement officers everywhere.” Cruz’s opposition to Debo Adegbile’s nomination stems from the man’s time with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. During that time, Adegbile volunteered to advocate for Mumia Abu-Jamal, who was convicted of murdering Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner in 1981. As Townhall’s Katie Pavlich notes, attorneys with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund were able to get Abu-Jamal’s death sentence overturned. “Mr. President, this is insulting to law enforcement officers...

The widow of a Philadelphia police officer gunned down by a man whose lawyer has been picked by President Obama for a top civil rights post says she wants to testify at his confirmation hearing. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, told the Senate Judiciary Committee Thursday that he backed Maureen Faulkner’s request to speak at Debo Adegbile’s nomination hearing. “She has requested that she be given the opportunity to be heard before the committee,” Grassley said. “I think it’s a reasonable request and I support it.” Adegbile has been described by critics as “radical,” “dangerous” and “outside the mainstream.” Obama nominated...

In January 2011, under the leadership of President Obama's current nominee to head the Civil Rights Division at the Department of Justice, Debo Adegbile, attorneys from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund voluntarily took over the case of convicted cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal. Abu-Jamal was convicted in 1982 of murdering Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulker, and he was given the death penalty. His conviction has been held up in multiple court rulings over the past three decades. "There are two wonderful attorneys taking over Mumia's case in the 30th year of his incarceration when most lawyers don't come near cases number...

Unrepentant Cop-Killer Mumia Abu-Jamial’s Attorney Debo Adegbile to Head Obama’s Justice Department’s Civil Rights Posted By Pamela Geller on Jan 7, 2014 http://freedomoutpost.com/2014/01/former-black-panther-cop-killer-mumia-abu-jamals-attorney-head-obamas-justice-departments-civil-rights/ President Obama’s nominee to be the nation’s top civil rights enforcer is a race-obsessed lawyer who tried to permanently free unrepentant cop-killer Mumia Abu-Jamal. Once again, Obama appoints the most vicious radical to a key leadership position. At Justice, no less. An anti-American, enemy of freedom demagogue. Obama’s hatred for this country sends shivers up my spine. Radical racist Debo Adegbile has worked hard to free Mumia Abu-Jamal. Abu-Jamal gunned down policeman Daniel Faulkner in Philly in...

Earlier this week the National Fraternal Order of Police, an organization representing 330,000 men and women in law enforcement, sent a scathing letter to President Obama strongly opposing Abegbile's nomination. "As world of this nomination spreads through the law enforcement community, reactions range from anger to incredulity. Under this nominee's leadership, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People volunteered their services to represent Wesley Cook, better known to the world as Mumia Abu-Jamal --- our country's most notorious cop-killer. There is no disputing that Philadelphia Police Officer Daniel Faulkner was murdered by...

President Barack Obama’s nominee to head the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Civil Rights Division led the group that represents convicted cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal. Debo Adegbile, who awaits Senate confirmation to become assistant attorney general for civil rights in Eric Holder’s DOJ, would bring a radical record on racial issues to his new job, which is responsible for enforcing federal discrimination statutes.