White House withdraws three nominations.

Biden Administration Withdraws Controversial Nominations

Judicial Picks Withdrawn

• Michael Delaney for the First U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
• Jabari Wamble for the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals

Delaney’s nomination was one of the longest confirmation fights of Biden’s tenure. Republicans pointed to his work on a civil case involving a 15-year-old sexual assault victim, in which Delaney called for her anonymity to be removed. Even left-wing groups called for his withdrawal. The Washington Free Beacon also reported on Delaney’s decision to not mention his role as attorney general in New Hampshire’s largest Ponzi scheme on a Senate questionnaire. The New Hampshire attorney general’s office said Delaney oversaw a systemic “failure to detect and protect against the fraud inflicted on its citizens.”

Wamble asked the White House to pull his nomination after waiting nearly two years for the Senate to act. “My path to this nomination began more than 18 months ago and after careful thought and consideration I feel that it is best for me to continue my work at the United States Attorney’s Office in the District of Kansas,” Wamble wrote to Biden.

NHTSA Director Withdrawn

President Joe Biden also withdrew his choice to lead the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Ann Carlson. Carlson faced scrutiny from Republicans, with 13 members of the Senate Commerce Committee signing a letter in May raising concerns about her track record in the agency and their worries that she would overly prioritize electric vehicles.

Trend of Withdrawing Controversial Nominees

The reports follow a trend in the Biden White House of having to pull nominees after their controversial agendas are exposed in the Senate. Biden has withdrawn nominations for his FCC, ATF, FAA, and top bank regulator picks.