MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The resignation of U.S. Attorney Mike Dunavant is certainly newsworthy, but it is not surprising. Dunavant will step down at the end of February after three and a half years as West Tennessee’s chief federal prosecutor.
The press release announcing his departure was eight pages and highlighted every prosecution and law enforcement initiative that Dunavant considered significant. But the job of U.S. attorney is a political appointment – and every appointee serves at the will and pleasure of the President. So when Democrat Joe Biden was elected, Dunavant, a loyal Republican, knew his days were numbered. That’s not a criticism, and it’s certainly not personal. It’s just politics.
The same thing happened to former U.S. Attorney Ed Stanton III, who was appointed by President Obama, after Donald Trump was elected. It happened to David Kustoff, appointed by President George W. Bush, and to Veronica Coleman Davis, appointed by President Clinton.
The idea is that once in job, the U.S. Attorney puts politics aside and works on behalf of justice for everyone. And for the most part, Dunavant did just that.
Now the focus shifts to his replacement. Because the White House is now in Democratic hands, Ninth District Congressman Steve Cohen gets the chance to recommend a candidate to President Biden. And Cohen will be under pressure to recommend a person of color. That now becomes the story to watch. And that’s my point of view.
